Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Katie Williams & Rachel Pugh & Katie Weston

B&M shoppers rush to buy £12 item that cuts heating costs thanks to MSE advice

Shoppers are flocking to B&M to buy a £12 item after a tip from a bargain hunter on the Money Saving Expert guide recommended buying one to cut heating costs.

Around 22 million homes’ energy bills will increase by a staggering 6.5 per cent from October as a result of rising wholesale gas prices and the new energy price cap.

As a result, many are vowing to put off turning on their heating until the last possible moment.

To help prepare for soaring bills, Money Saving Expert, which was founded by Martin Lewis, previously advised purchasing fleece lined hoodies and blankets to keep you warm without turning up the heating.

Although the site did not name a particular brand, one bargain hunter took to social media to recommend a £12 'Snuggle Hoodie' she found in B&M, reports Manchester Evening News.

Shoppers are flocking to B&M to buy a £12 'Snuggle Hoodie' (John Myers)

Comparing it to the well-known Oodie - essentially an oversized wearable blanket - she wrote: "Bought this for Christmas but my daughter spotted them in boot of my car, so my daughter and sons had them early as it's starting to feel chilly at night.

"These have lovely warm sherpa lining to snuggle up in to save having to use our heating oil at the moment until it gets colder.

"I tried daughter's on its aged 11-13-years. To give you a size guide, I'm 4ft 10" and it fits me lol they also have unicorn or rainbows design, also available in adults sizes.

"Not sure how they compare to Oodies as daughter wants one but these are a fab price, very warm and cosy!"

The post accumulated hundreds of comments as others shared similar products, with one posting: "Bought my grandchildren them yesterday, they are so cosy."

Another wrote: "We had the Primark version last year and lived in them so have invested in the real thing this year since they are doing two-for-one (still £42 each) but think it will be worth it with the fuel crisis and given how much we wore them last year."

A third similarly said: "Primark are doing them as well - very warm."

And a fourth added: "Both of my children have them. They LOVE them! Definitely recommend."

The concerns over soaring heating costs come as Citizen Advice warns some families are seeing up to 30% of their energy bill "go straight out of the window" because of a lack of insulation.

Around 22 million homes’ energy bills will increase by a staggering 6.5 per cent from October (Getty Images/Monkey Business)

The advisory service said many families will continue to struggle with high energy costs and cold, damp homes despite the recently announced bill freeze due to a lack of investment in basic cost-saving measures like insulation.

The Government's freeze on energy prices means the average bill will be £2,500 a year from October 1.

However, Citizens Advice said more than a million people living in homes with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of F will face an average bill of more than £3,000.

Furthermore, draughty and inefficient homes mean they will lose £950 worth of the heat they pay for through the walls, windows and roof, it warned.

It calculated households would save a combined total of £8.1 billion per year if all homes had an EPC rating of C.

Currently, the majority of homes in England and Wales are below this standard, a significant proportion being pre-war buildings.

Rich Jones, energy projects manager at Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove, said: "Most of the people we advise are disabled or have a long-term health condition.

"One person we've spoken to is relying on her son to do her washing by hand to save on electricity.

"She says she's cold all the time. Several parents have told us their children's bedrooms are so damp that they've given them their room and are now sleeping on the sofa or floor instead.

"Grants, budgeting and benefit checks can only provide some short-term relief. But improving their homes would make a big difference."

Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty added: "The Government's bill freeze puts an emergency stop to terrifying price hikes. Now we need an exit strategy from this energy crisis.

"Bills are going through the roof - literally for people in cold and draughty homes, where heat seeps out when they turn up the thermostat. This is burning through many people's tight budgets.

"Insulating our homes is the long-term solution that will cut down our bills and reduce our dependence on gas. The government must make it a top priority."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.