People are being urged to do an energy meter reading today (Thursday, March 31).

The advice to take a reading of your meter today, the later in the day the better, has been issued in order to avoid firms assigning current energy usage to April.

MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis took to Twitter and wrote: "Pls share. Thurs 31 Mar is energy #MeterReadingDay

"So firms can't assign some of your current usage to April when rates are c54% higher.

"Not smart meter? Send a reading (later in the day the better)

"Smart or prepay meter? Just take a meter pic for safety (in case of dispute)"

Martin Lewis continued in a second tweet: "PS This DOESN'T apply to

"1. People in Northern Ireland (where there's no price cap - so prices dont all move on same day) "2. People who are on fixes as your price won't move "3. Others no one the price cap." Wholesale energy prices have risen sharply in recent months, meaning that some UK energy suppliers are operating at a loss or going out of business. Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain has made the decision to increase its price cap for gas and electricity significantly from tomorrow (April 1). As of tomorrow the energy price cap will be risen by 54% for approximately 22 million customers.