Energy Bills and the Price Cap news from 2026
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- November 2026
Warwickshire County Council highlights energy cost support after latest price cap increase
Warwickshire County Council has urged residents to check available energy bill support, including emergency help for heating oil and LPG users, after the latest price cap increase took effect.
Welsh Government announces £130m cost of living support package
The Welsh Government has announced a £130m cost of living package for this winter, including a £100 energy payment for council tax bands A to D and a £250 payment for off-grid households on heating oil or LPG.
Ofgem energy price cap rises to £1,723 annually for typical dual-fuel Direct Debit households
Ofgem's energy price cap rose 4% on 1 October 2026 to £1,723 a year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit, a £60 increase, as Consumer Scotland and Energy UK warn of winter affordability pressure.
Ofgem opens investigation into ScottishPower backbilling and debt recovery practices
Ofgem has opened an investigation into whether ScottishPower met licence conditions on backbilling, support for vulnerable customers, ability to pay and fair treatment of domestic customers.
Energy Independence Bill introduced to Parliament
The government introduced the Energy Independence Bill to Parliament on 4 November 2026, setting out measures on gas standing charges, consumer protection, rented home efficiency and community stakes in renewable projects.
British Gas resumes force-fitting prepayment meters after Ofgem lifts four-year block
Ofgem has lifted a block imposed in February 2023 that stopped British Gas seeking warrants to force-fit prepayment meters, months after the supplier paid a settlement of more than £100m over the scandal.
- October 2026
Ofgem publishes phase 1 process evaluation of involuntary PPM rules
Ofgem's phase 1 process evaluation of the involuntary prepayment meter rules finds a 36% fall in severe self-disconnection and stronger protections, alongside supplier implementation problems and elevated household debt.
VAT cut on electricity bills extended to July
Chancellor John Healey has extended the VAT cut on domestic electricity bills to July, alongside a £100 winter payment for households in council tax bands A to D in England.
Autumn Budget 2026 announces Household Energy Payment, gas standing charge removal and Debt Relief Scheme
The Autumn Budget 2026 announced a £100 payment for eligible English households, asked Ofgem to remove gas standing charges from 2027, and set out debt relief for vulnerable households.
Coalition publishes reform package claiming 20% electricity bill cut by 2030
The Electricity Bills Taskforce, a coalition of suppliers, business groups, consumer advocates, academics and charities, has published eight reforms it estimates would cut household and business electricity bills by about 20% by 2030.
Wholesale gas prices peaked above 240p/thm in early trading
UK natural gas prices peaked above 240p per therm in early trading on 26 October 2026, as polling for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition found energy costs the public's top Budget priority.
E3G publishes report recommending 8 Essential Actions to lower GB electricity bills by 20% by 2030
E3G has published a report setting out eight actions it says could cut Great Britain's household and business electricity bills by about 20% by 2030, backed by 20 organisations.
Ofgem figures show £172 million in backbilling charges written off in 2024
Ofgem figures for 2024 show suppliers wrote off more than £172 million in charges for almost one million customers under backbilling protections, with around 11 million bills issued at least a month late.
Wholesale gas prices hit highest level since 2022
Wholesale gas prices reached 217p per therm on Wednesday, their highest since 2022, as Scottish Power's chief executive warned of a household energy debt "doom loop".
UK gas prices reach highs last seen in 2022
UK gas prices have risen to their highest level since December 2022, with wholesale costs approaching 200p per therm and gas unit rates up 27 per cent year on year.
Ofgem opens call for input on updating the price cap time-of-use methodology
Ofgem has opened a call for input on updating the time-of-use methodology in the energy price cap, with responses due by 20 November 2026.
Energy UK urges Burnham to act as bills forecast to surge
Energy UK has urged Andy Burnham to fund targeted bill rebates and a debt relief scheme, warning that typical household bills could reach around £2,100 in January.
Share Energy raises electricity prices by 12.6%
Share Energy has raised its standard 24 hour electricity tariff by 12.6% from 1 October 2026, adding £129 a year to the typical bill of its 41,000 customers in Northern Ireland.
Firmus energy raises Ten Towns gas prices by 8.98%
Firmus energy has raised regulated gas tariffs by 8.98% for 77,000 domestic and small business customers in the Ten Towns network area from 1 October 2026, its second increase this year.
Polling shows public concern over energy bills as gas prices rise
Polling for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation finds 28% of the public extremely worried about winter bills and 66% wanting more government action, as gas prices rose 27% year on year from 1 October.
SSE Airtricity raises gas prices by almost 19%
SSE Airtricity has raised gas prices by 19.2% for about 200,000 domestic and small business customers in the greater Belfast and west network areas, adding almost £172 to a typical annual bill.
Typical household gas bills to be 33% higher than in April from 1 October
Typical household gas bills will be 33% higher than in April from 1 October, about £200 a year, while electricity bills rise only 4%, according to Nesta analysis.
- September 2026
Household energy bills rise by 4%
Household energy bills rose 4% from 30 September 2026 under Ofgem's price cap, with gas bills up far more than electricity as wholesale gas prices reach their highest level since 2022.
Uswitch identifies cheapest fixed deal undercutting October cap
Uswitch data collected on 24 September identifies an 18-month Fuse Energy deal at £1,688 a year for a typical home, £35 below the October price cap.
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.
Trust responds to Ofgem price cap rise announcement
British Gas Energy Trust has responded to Ofgem's announcement that the energy price cap will rise by 4% from 1 October 2026, taking a typical dual-fuel Direct Debit bill to £1,723 a year.
- 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.
Power NI residential tariff to rise 6.2% from 1 July 2026
Power NI, Northern Ireland's largest electricity supplier, will raise its residential credit meter tariff by 6.2% from 1 July 2026, the Consumer Council has announced.
Consumer Scotland publishes Energy Affordability Tracker findings showing record energy debt
Consumer Scotland's Energy Affordability Tracker finds 19% of Scottish households reporting energy debt, a record high, as Ofgem confirms a 13% price cap rise from July.
Latest UK energy price cap increase announced
The latest UK energy price cap increase has been announced, with the Stove Industry Association saying households will again be thinking carefully about how they heat their homes this winter.
Ofgem publishes updated energy price cap levels for 1 July to 30 September 2026
Ofgem has published the energy price cap for 1 July to 30 September 2026, raising the Direct Debit annual bill level from £1,641 to £1,862, a 13% increase driven by wholesale gas costs.
Call for input on energy price cap technical approach to MHHS closes
Ofgem's call for input on adapting the energy price cap's wholesale allowance to Market Wide Half-Hourly Settlement closed on 6 May 2026, after responses were requested by 5 May.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem consultation on price cap technical approach to MHHS
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem it supports keeping a single-rate price cap alongside a time-of-use variant, but opposes moving all default consumers onto default time-of-use tariffs.
British Gas pledges £40 million to British Gas Energy Trust
British Gas has pledged £40 million to the British Gas Energy Trust, committing £8 million a year for five years to support households facing financial hardship and energy debt.
Ofgem to announce July price cap level towards end of May
Ofgem will announce the July to September 2026 price cap level towards the end of May, with forecasts pointing to a rise driven by wholesale gas costs after the Iran conflict.
- April 2026
British Gas Energy Trust highlights up to £1,700 grants for prepayment meter customers in debt
The British Gas Energy Trust has publicised grants of up to £1,700 for prepayment meter customers in energy debt in England, Scotland and Wales, open regardless of who supplies their energy.
Government moves to break the link between gas and electricity prices
The government has announced voluntary long-term fixed-price contracts for existing low-carbon generators, a move intended to reduce how often gas sets the wholesale electricity price.
Ofgem launches one-year lower standing charge tariff pilot
Ofgem has begun a one-year pilot under which four large suppliers offer eligible households lower standing charge tariffs, testing whether cutting the daily fixed fee changes how customers use energy.
WHD cost recovery moves to the unit rate from 1 April 2026
The government has confirmed that energy suppliers should recover Warm Home Discount costs from the unit rate for electricity and gas from 1 April 2026, moving the charge off the standing charge.
- March 2026
Average £150 of costs to come off energy bills from April
The government says policy changes have taken an average of £150 off household energy bills from April 2026, as Ofgem's price cap for 1 April to 30 June 2026 falls 7% to £1,641 for a typical direct debit household.
Ofgem opens call for input on adapting the energy price cap for MHHS
Ofgem has opened a call for input on how the wholesale allowance within the energy price cap should change to accommodate Market Wide Half-Hourly Settlement, with responses due by 5 May 2026.
Energy Ombudsman publishes guidance on energy bill debt support
The Energy Ombudsman has published guidance for households struggling with energy bills, setting out how financial difficulty is defined, what suppliers must offer and how to escalate a complaint.
Click Energy and Share Energy electricity tariffs to rise from 1 April 2026
Click Energy will raise its electricity tariff by 9.5% and Share Energy by 26.4% from 1 April 2026, the Consumer Council has announced.
Budget changes to bills to take effect in spring 2026
Budget changes to energy bills take effect in spring 2026, but average bills stay above winter 2020/2021 levels and the price cap's supplier profit allowance rises £1.51 per household.
Cornwall Insight predicts higher July energy price cap
Cornwall Insight expects the July price cap to rise by around 10% to about £1,800 for the average household, reversing April's £117 fall as Middle East gas tensions feed through to bills.
Fixed tariff availability fell from 39 to 20 during March
The number of fixed energy tariffs on the UK market fell from 39 to 20 between late February and 20 March as wholesale gas costs rose, with the cheapest deal up from £1,509 to £1,862 a year.
Number of new fixed tariffs fell
Ofgem reported that the number of new fixed tariffs on the market fell in March 2026, as suppliers withdrew some fixed deals and raised prices on others after wholesale gas prices doubled.
- February 2026
Cabinet Secretary met Ofgem officials on the next price cap
The Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice met Ofgem officials the day before confirming the next energy price cap, which falls by £117 to £1,641 from 1 April 2026.
Lower standing charge tariff pilot to start in spring 2026
Ofgem has confirmed a pilot of lower standing charge tariffs will begin in spring 2026, offered first to eligible customers of EDF, E.ON, Octopus and British Gas, alongside a 7% cut in the price cap.
Warm Home Discount costs to move from standing charges to unit rate
Ofgem has confirmed that Warm Home Discount costs will move from standing charges to the unit rate, cutting standing charges by an average of £13 for dual fuel customers from April.
Ofgem announces 7% fall in energy price cap from April 2026
Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will fall by 7%, or £117, to £1,641 a year for a typical Direct Debit dual fuel household from 1 April to 30 June 2026.
Assessment period for the first 2026 price cap ends
The assessment window for the energy price cap that takes effect on 1 April 2026 closed on 17 February 2026, meaning later wholesale market movements will not feed into the level Ofgem announces.
Citizens Advice publishes State of the Smart report on consumer experiences of smart meters
Citizens Advice has published State of the Smart, a report on consumer experiences of smart meters, calling for enforceable in-home display replacement standards, a six-month back-billing window and a new test of whether a meter works.
Ofgem announced a one-year pilot of lower standing charges starting in April 2026, later put back to June 2026
Ofgem will pilot lower standing charges from June 2026, offered first by four large suppliers with a cap on how many customers can sign up.
- January 2026
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem consultation on energy debt when consumers move house
Consumer Scotland has responded to an Ofgem consultation on energy debt arising when consumers move house, tentatively supporting reform while setting out risks and recommendations.
2026 Flexi variable charges take effect from 1 January 2026
ScottishPower has published the variable cost breakdown for its 2026 Flexi product, showing the charges that apply from 1 January 2026 and the revised values due from 1 April 2026.
Affordability issues reach highest level since Aug/Sep'23
Ofgem's Energy Consumer Satisfaction Survey for January 2026 shows the share of households falling behind on bills or running out of prepayment credit for affordability reasons rose to 12 per cent, the highest since August/September 2023.
Appliance energy calculator updated
Smart Energy GB's appliance energy calculator, which compares running costs across three price cap periods, was last updated on 1 January 2026, with the current cap shown as £43 a month.
New benchmark consumption takes effect in the price cap
Ofgem has updated the assumed household consumption figures used to set the energy price cap, cutting the gas benchmark to 11,500 kWh and electricity to 2,700 kWh from 1 January 2026.
Debt Relief Scheme to launch in early 2026
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2026 and confirmed a Debt Relief Scheme for around 195,000 people on means-tested benefits will launch in early 2026.
Domestic price cap falls to £1,758 for January to March 2026
Ofgem's price cap for January to March 2026 is set at £1,758 a year for a typical dual-fuel direct debit household, down from £1,849 in April 2025 as wholesale costs eased.
Energy prices rose on New Year's Day for standard tariff households
Energy prices rose on New Year's Day for millions of households on standard tariffs, according to Uswitch, which puts the average annual cost of common energy habits at £625.
Next price cap change due on 1 January 2026
The energy price cap rose 2% on 1 October 2025 to £1,755 a year for a typical household, and changes again on 1 January 2026, with the next level due by 25 November.
Unexpectedly high bills increase to 26%
Ofgem's Energy Consumer Satisfaction Survey for January 2026 shows the share of households reporting an unexpectedly high bill rose to 26 per cent, from 24 per cent in July and August 2025.