- The Year Ahead In Personal Finance

With 2009 just around the corner, moneysupermarket.com's experts offer their predictions for utilities, mobiles, broadband, insurance and money.

Utilities manager, Scott Byrom, said: "The cost of gas and electricity will remain a hot topic; 2009 should bring some much needed price drops and early indications show prices could be slashed by as much as 20 per cent around March. The New Year will see bill payers proactively looking for ways to reduce household expenses - savings of up to £325 a year are still up for grabs for those who have never swapped energy supplier before.

"The record price increases of 2008 (47 per cent for gas and 28 per cent for electricity) saw growing concerns surrounding ‘vulnerable' customers; 2009 will see further changes to the way energy prices are structured. We can expect to see more consistent prices across different types of energy meter and payment methods as Ofgem makes loud noises about treating customers fairly. It will be interesting to see if the Government goes as far as forcing providers to reduce rates in an era of falling wholesale gas prices."

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