Consumer champion and financial guru Martin Lewis returned to Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, March 30 for a special on the cost of living crisis. The founder of Money Saving Expert appeared alongside Susanna Reid to answer viewers' questions ahead of the energy price cap hike, which is set to rise by 54% on April 1.
During the show, Martin explained the "most important" thing anyone could do ahead of the price hike was to take a meter reading so they can tell their energy providers exactly how much gas and electricity they used before the price cap increase. He also revealed whether you should fix your energy rates, you can read more on this here.
"The most important thing, tomorrow, the 31st March - take a meter reading," Martin urged. "If you're not going to remember tomorrow, just do it today.
Read more: Martin Lewis' answer to 'the big question' whether you should fix your energy rates now
"Why? Because that draws a line in the sand with the energy firm. It says every single unit of energy I have used until this meter reading should be charged at the cheap rate. Don't go estimating it at the higher rate.
"So get your meter reading in, preferably tomorrow. You don't need to if you're on a smart meter, that does it for you - and get that line in the sand drawn."
Later, Susanna read out a question that asked whether there was any benefit in taking the reading at a specific time. Reading the query from a viewer, the presenter asked: "Martin says take a meter reading tomorrow, what time of day should that be taken and should it be just before midnight?"
"Yes, should we set our alarms?" newsreader Charlotte Hawkins asked. Martin responded: "Big message, just get a meter reading done today or tomorrow so that you've got it locked in and you've drawn a line and you're saying to the energy firm, 'everything I've used up until this point should be charged at the cheap rate'.
"Of course, if you wanted to do it at 11.59pm tomorrow night, so every last drop of energy you've used at the cheap rate is recorded that would be great, but it's a negligible difference. The more important thing is that you just do it today or tomorrow."
Good Morning Britain continues weekday at 6am on ITV. For more showbiz and television stories, get our newsletter here.
