Energy Bills and the Price Cap News
Is the price cap going up or down, and what does it mean for your monthly direct debit? Has Ofgem changed the standing charge or the rules on prepayment meters? Which suppliers have cut prices, and which have gone under?
Every energy bill and price cap story we have reported, newest first: cap levels, unit rates, standing charges, supplier news and help with arrears. Each one links to our guides on what it means for you.
- September 2026
Coalition sets out seven-point winter rescue plan for the Chancellor's Budget
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has sent the Chancellor a seven-point Budget submission centred on writing off energy crisis arrears, as gas unit rates are forecast to double by January 2027.
More than 120 organisations call for levies to be moved off electricity bills
More than 120 organisations, coordinated by Energy UK and the Electricity Bills Taskforce, have written to the Chancellor urging that levies be moved off electricity bills and onto general taxation before the Autumn Budget.
UK wholesale gas prices hit four-year high
UK wholesale gas reached levels last seen in December 2022, approaching 200p per therm on 9 September 2026, while heating oil prices exceeded their previous five-year highs.
Tax information and impact note published on temporary VAT zero rate
HM Revenue and Customs has published the tax information and impact note for a temporary zero rate of VAT on qualifying domestic electricity in Great Britain, running from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Firmus Energy Ten Towns tariff to increase by 9%
The Utility Regulator has confirmed a 9% rise in firmus energy's regulated gas tariff in the Ten Towns network, announced on 4 September 2026 after a review of the supplier's costs.
Scottish Government publishes fuel poverty scenario modelling for October to December 2026 price cap period
Scottish Government modelling estimates around 820,000 fuel poor households in Scotland, 32 per cent of all households, for the October to December 2026 price cap period, up around 20,000 on the previous quarter.
EDF updates tariff terms and conditions
EDF published its latest update to its residential tariff terms and conditions on 1 September 2026, covering cancellation rights, payment rules, smart meter data and the circumstances in which supply can be transferred to another supplier.
- August 2026
Citizens Advice publishes smart metering consumer protection paper
Citizens Advice has published a paper recommending new Guaranteed Standards for smart meters and a tighter government definition of an "operating" meter in public reporting.
Citizens Advice publishes Hitting the Rationing Wall on energy affordability
Citizens Advice has published research showing households ration food and heating to absorb high energy bills, and called for policy costs to be removed, a tiered Warm Home Discount and delivery of the Debt Relief Scheme.
Ofgem publishes updated energy price cap levels for 1 October to 31 December 2026
Ofgem has published the energy price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, with Direct Debit, Standard Credit and prepayment levels all rising 4% and Economy 7 up 1%.
Uswitch warns of difficult winter as Ofgem announces October price cap level
Uswitch has warned of another difficult winter after Ofgem announced its October price cap level, saying gas costs for price cap customers will be almost 27% higher than the same period last year.
Ofgem observation window for October 2026 price cap closes
Ofgem's observation window for the October 2026 price cap closed on 19 August, with the cap to be announced by 26 August and suppliers predicting a rise of about 3.7%.
- July 2026
Ofgem opens consultation on proposed changes to the CfD cost allowance in the energy price cap
Ofgem has opened a consultation on changing how the Contracts for Difference cost allowance is calculated within the energy price cap, proposing a volume reconciliation from April 2027.
Uswitch research finds 59% of households saw a bill rise last quarter while streaming, music and gym are last to be cut
Uswitch research finds 59% of UK households saw at least one bill rise between April and July 2026, while streaming, music and gym spending are the last costs households would cut.
UKERC publishes briefing paper on the cost of electricity in the UK
The UK Energy Research Centre has published a briefing paper analysing why domestic electricity bills are high, how bill components may move to 2030, and which reforms could cut household costs.
Citizens Advice responds to consultation on Electricity Bill Discount Scheme cost allowance methodology
Citizens Advice has told a consultation on the Electricity Bill Discount Scheme cost allowance that extra levies should not be added to electricity unit rates and that schemes should be funded from general taxation.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem consultation on price cap debt-related costs
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem that the debt-related cost allowance in the energy price cap was set too high, led to material over-recovery and needs a further downward adjustment.
SSE Airtricity electricity tariffs to rise 6.2% from 1 August 2026
SSE Airtricity, Northern Ireland's second largest electricity supplier, will raise its electricity tariffs by 6.2% from 1 August 2026, adding around £76 a year to a typical bill.
Citizens Advice publishes report on unlocking innovation in the energy retail market
Citizens Advice has published research setting out six policy options for reforming the Universal Service Obligation and the price cap, saying retail market reform has stalled and innovation is progressing slowly.
Backwardation deadband removal to take effect from price cap 16b
Ofgem will remove the £9 deadband from the backwardation allowance in the energy price cap from price cap period 16b, covering July to September 2026, it has confirmed.
Ofgem July price cap rise is the biggest jump in years
Ofgem's July price cap rise is the biggest jump in years, Uswitch says, with 12 million households on standard variable tariffs facing higher bills unless they fix.
Ofgem re-publishes price cap levels for July to September 2026 under revised 2026 TDCV
Ofgem has re-published the July to September 2026 price cap levels using new lower typical consumption figures, with the cap for a typical direct debit household rising 13 per cent to £1,663.
- June 2026
NEA publishes Clearing the Decks paper on energy debt
National Energy Action has published Clearing the Decks, a paper arguing that record energy debt of £4.79 billion raises bills for all households, as the price cap rises 13 per cent on 1 July 2026.
Power NI residential electricity prices rise 6.2%
Power NI has raised the unit price its residential customers in Northern Ireland pay for electricity by 6.2% from 1 July 2026, adding about £5 a month to an average bill.
Citizens Advice publishes Future of Prepayment discussion paper
Citizens Advice has published a discussion paper on the future of prepayment energy, covering self-disconnection, rising debt and whether current safeguards remain fit for purpose.
Revised Typical Domestic Consumption Values take effect for the price cap from 1 July 2026
Ofgem's revised Typical Domestic Consumption Values took effect on 1 July 2026, restating price cap bill figures at lower assumed electricity and gas use for the July to September quarter.
NAO report finds millions unaware of support with household bills as debt soars
The National Audit Office has found that debt to water and energy companies has passed £7 billion while millions of households remain unaware of social tariffs and repayment plans.
New figures released on energy debt among UK households
Opinium research for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition finds 31% of UK adults are in energy debt or worried about falling behind, with a median debt of £750 among those owing money.
Ofgem consults on proposed Debt Outcome and Billing Outcome
Ofgem has consulted on a proposed Debt Outcome and a proposed billing outcome, part of a wider move to outcomes-based regulation of how suppliers treat customers who are behind on their bills.
- May 2026
firmus energy raises Ten Towns gas tariffs by 15.65% from 1 July 2026
firmus energy has announced a 15.65% rise in regulated gas tariffs for domestic and small business customers in its Ten Towns network areas, effective from 1 July 2026.