Tue, 08 Jul 2025

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 Campaigners to get refund after energy bill row

Residents are celebrating after Newcastle City Council announced a U-turn on refunded energy bills.

* Homeowners on Newcastle's Byker Estate will receive refunds worth hundreds of pounds due to excessive heating bill charges.
* The city council-managed district heat network provides unlimited heating and hot water, but residents were charged a flat rate regardless of usage.
* Roberta Davidson, a 67-year-old resident, had appealed to councillors for action after her monthly heating bill almost doubled from £108 to £213.
* The council has announced a U-turn, with 160 properties being refunded a total of £56,336.
* The refunds are worth an average of £646.49 per household, and range from £276.94 to £821.40.
* The council attributed the refunds to "lower-than-expected gas prices" which led to excessive charges in fixed bills.
* Local councillor Nick Hartley described the refunds as a "victory for collective action".
* The council has confirmed that they did not make a profit from the Byker District Heating Network and will use refunded credit to reduce existing arrears or refund residents directly.
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