The MoneySavingExpert founder said a temporary fall in wholesale prices, triggered by the Middle East ceasefire, has caused some fixed tariffs to become cheaper than the April price cap. However, he stressed that these deals may only be available for a short time.

Lewis, who is currently taking a break from social media, returned briefly to share the update, saying the shift in the volatile energy market could “give respite to some”.

He advised anyone on a standard variable tariff — meaning they are currently on the price cap — to check whether switching to a fixed deal could help them avoid the expected July price rise. His team recommends using the Cheap Energy Club comparison tool to see what deals are available.

Why July matters

The Ofgem price cap fell by 6.6% on 1 April, saving a typical household around £117 a year. But analysts expect the cap to rise again in July due to ongoing instability linked to the Middle East conflict.

The price cap limits what suppliers can charge per unit of energy for customers on variable tariffs. It does not apply to fixed deals, meaning households who lock in a tariff now could avoid the July increase — but only if the fixed rate stays below the new cap.

Fixed deals may vanish quickly

Lewis warned that the cheaper fixed tariffs now appearing may be short‑lived. If wholesale prices rise again, suppliers could withdraw or increase the cost of these deals.

MoneySavingExpert said:  

“Energy wholesale rates are spiking due to conflict in the Middle East, meaning many firms have pulled fixed deals, or made them more expensive. Whether you should fix now depends on how risk averse you are and what you think will happen.”

The site added that if the current turmoil eases before July, cheaper fixed deals could return — meaning staying on the price cap might be the better option for some households.

Should you fix? It depends on risk

Lewis has repeatedly said the decision to fix comes down to personal risk tolerance. Fixing locks in your rate for a set period, but if the price cap later drops, you could end up paying more than those on variable tariffs.

MSE’s advice:  

- If the Middle East conflict continues, fixing now could save money.  

- If tensions ease, better deals may appear later — making it safer to stay on the cap for now.  

- Always compare deals before switching.

With the July review approaching and global markets still unstable, Lewis says households should check their options sooner rather than later.

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Sophie Brimble, 20, died in July 2017 when the car she was travelling in crashed into a lamppost in Brynmawr. She was in the passenger seat of a black VW Polo driven by Jay Bayliss, now 32.

Crash happened during ‘impromptu race’

A fact‑finding trial earlier this year heard that Bayliss had been involved in an “impromptu race” with another driver, Neil Brooks, moments before the crash. Bayliss was driving at more than 70mph in a 30mph zone when he lost control on a bend and hit a lamppost.

Sophie suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene.

Bayliss unfit to stand trial

Doctors previously ruled that Bayliss was unfit to take part in a normal trial, meaning he couldn’t enter a guilty or not‑guilty plea. Instead, a jury was asked to decide only whether he was responsible for the dangerous driving that caused Sophie’s death — and they found that he was.

Judge: ‘Terrible consequences for many people’

At sentencing, Judge Celia Hughes said Bayliss’ driving had been “foolhardy and impetuous” and had devastating consequences.

However, she also explained that Bayliss suffered serious physical and psychological injuries in the crash, including a traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, mood swings and anxiety. He has no memory of the incident and has required years of rehabilitation.

He now lives with his mother, cannot work, and has no previous convictions.

Why he wasn’t punished

Because Bayliss was legally unfit to stand trial, the judge said she had only three sentencing options:

- A hospital order  

- A supervision order  

- An absolute discharge  

She ruled that the first two were not appropriate, leaving the absolute discharge as the only lawful option.

Concerns over his driving licence

Judge Hughes also raised concerns that Bayliss had successfully reapplied for a driving licence in 2024. She said she was legally unable to impose a driving ban due to his unfit‑to‑plead status, but noted that prosecutors are now in contact with the DVLA.

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Walker Smith, 54, worked at the Clapham Junction branch for 17 years before being dismissed just two days after tackling a man attempting to steal a bag of chocolate eggs. The incident led to a brief struggle before the shoplifter fled.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has condemned Waitrose’s decision, calling it “disgraceful” and accusing the supermarket of punishing staff while thieves “run unchecked”.

‘I was so frustrated — I just snapped’

Speaking to The Guardian, Mr Smith said he confronted the shoplifter after years of witnessing daily thefts. During the scuffle, one of the chocolate bunnies smashed, and he admitted throwing a piece of it towards the trolleys in frustration — not at the thief.

He said he immediately apologised to his manager, but the matter was escalated and ultimately cost him his job.

“When I got home I was punching myself thinking, ‘Why did I do that?’” he said.

Waitrose: ‘Nothing we sell is worth risking lives for’

Waitrose insists the reporting of the case does not reflect the “full facts”, but said it would not discuss the specifics of Mr Smith’s dismissal.

In a statement, the supermarket stressed that staff safety is the priority:

“There is a serious danger to life in tackling shoplifters. Nothing we sell is worth risking lives for. We refuse to put anyone in harm’s way.”

The company said it has had incidents where staff were hospitalised after confronting thieves and that strict policies exist to prevent further injuries.

Waitrose added that it followed the “correct process”, including an appeals procedure.

Tories: ‘Reinstate him — and give him a bonus’

In a letter to Waitrose managing director Tom Denyard, shared publicly on X, Chris Philp urged the supermarket to reverse the dismissal.

He wrote:

“Dismissing a long‑serving employee in these circumstances sends entirely the wrong message. It penalises those who act, while offenders are left unchecked.”

Philp argued that staff and the public should be supported — not discouraged — when intervening in shoplifting incidents.

Shoplifting on the rise

The row comes amid a surge in retail crime, with shoplifting offences rising 5% in the year to September 2025.

Retailers across the UK have reported increasingly brazen thefts, prompting calls for tougher enforcement and better protection for frontline workers.

For more news visit Pulse Media.

Kate and Prince William joined Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for an unexpected walkabout on the Long Walk in Windsor, where they viewed floral tributes and spoke with mourners gathered outside Windsor Castle.

Among the crowd was Banita Ranow, 28, who overheard Kate gently explaining the news to a group of children beside her. She revealed the heartbreaking reaction of four‑year‑old Louis when he learned his great‑grandmother had passed away at the age of 96.

According to Ms Ranow, Kate said:

“Louis said, ‘At least Grannie is with Great‑Grandpa now.’”

She added that the Princess appeared visibly emotional, “welling up” as she spoke.

A close bond with the late Queen

Prince Louis is one of the late Queen and Prince Philip’s 12 great‑grandchildren. He was memorably seen alongside Prince George and Princess Charlotte during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, delighting crowds with his expressive balcony moments.

Following the Queen’s death, Prince William released a statement saying his children were lucky to have spent holidays with their great‑grandmother and to have created “memories that will last their whole lives”.

A rare reunion between the royal couples

The Windsor walkabout marked the first time William, Kate, Harry and Meghan had appeared together publicly since the Commonwealth Day service in 2020 — the Sussexes’ final engagement before stepping back from royal duties.

A royal source later confirmed that William personally invited Harry and Meghan to join him, with both couples living in Windsor at the time.

The appearance was also the first public outing for William and Kate as the newly appointed Prince and Princess of Wales.

Tensions set aside — briefly

The reunion came despite long‑reported tensions between the brothers and their wives. Meghan previously claimed Kate made her cry during wedding preparations, while Harry has described William as “trapped” within the institution.

But on this day, the focus was on the late Queen — and on the small but powerful words of a young boy trying to comfort his mother.

For more news visit Pulse Media.