Energy Bills and the Price Cap News: page 3
- January 2026
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.
- December 2025
Guide updated with price cap based appliance running costs
Confused.com has updated its appliance running cost guide, pricing average household use against the price cap of £1,755 that runs until 31 December 2025.
Ofgem Debt Relief Scheme statutory consultation closes
Ofgem's statutory consultation on how its Energy Debt Relief Scheme will work closed on 18 December 2025, with the scheme to be delivered in two phases during 2026.
GB energy debt and arrears reach £4.55bn
Ofgem data cited by Consumer Scotland shows household energy debt and arrears in Great Britain reached £4.55bn in the fourth quarter of 2025, up £700 million in a year.
- November 2025
ECIU comments on energy price cap change for January to March 2026
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit says the typical dual fuel bill will rise by around 30p under the January to March 2026 price cap, a fall of £37 in real terms.
Ofgem decides to update price cap benchmark consumption to 2023 TDCVs
Ofgem has decided to update the price cap's benchmark consumption to the 2023 Typical Domestic Consumption Values from 1 January 2026, a change it says will raise the cap level by about £9 a year for a typical customer.
Ofgem sets energy price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2026
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2026 at £1,758 a year for a typical dual fuel Direct Debit household, a rise of 28 pence a month.
Energy Systems Catapult publishes response to Ofgem lower-standing-charge tariff consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has backed Ofgem's plan to require suppliers to offer lower-standing-charge tariffs but says the proposal lacks a clear plan to manage risks of reduced competition and consumer harm.
Ofgem publishes Debt Relief Scheme Impact Assessment
Ofgem has published an impact assessment for its proposed Debt Relief Scheme, estimating Phase 1 would write off between £312.4 million and £472.9 million of eligible debt across 280,000 to 400,000 accounts.
Ofgem publishes detailed proposals for the Debt Relief Scheme
Ofgem has set out detailed proposals for a one-time Debt Relief Scheme to write off energy debt built up during the crisis, with phase one expected to support up to 200,000 households.
Ofgem publishes regulatory expectations for suppliers on Additional Support Credit
Ofgem has published regulatory expectations telling suppliers how they should assess and provide Additional Support Credit to vulnerable prepayment customers who have self-disconnected or are at risk of doing so.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem consultation on lower standing charge tariffs
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on requiring suppliers to offer at least one lower standing charge tariff, backing a temporary approach and warning of cost redistribution.
Scottish Government announces almost £1 million extra funding for energy debt advice services
The Scottish Government has allocated £944,000 in additional funding to three advice organisations to expand energy debt support, announced by Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan at the start of Talk Money Week.
RECCo submits response to Ofgem debt-related cost allowance consultation
The Retail Energy Code Company has told Ofgem that an extra allowance for debt-related costs inside the default tariff cap would raise bills for customers who pay on time.
Autumn Budget confirms end of green levy and ECO4 funding
The 2025 Autumn Budget confirmed the end of the green levy and with it ECO4 funding, closing council-run ECO4 Flex schemes and stopping new applications.
Budget announces £150 energy bill reduction
The November 2025 Budget cut energy bills by around £150 a year from April 2026, but a renewed gas price surge is expected to wipe out that saving.
Budget changes remove levies from electricity bills
Budget changes remove some levies from electricity bills, cutting the running cost of clean electric technologies, according to analysis of the Warm Homes Plan published by the charity Nesta.
Ofgem announces consultation on home-move debt processes
Ofgem has set out plans to consult later this year on trialling new home-move processes that would require customers to contact their supplier to set up an account early.
- October 2025
Committee publishes Tackling the energy cost crisis report
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has published a report recommending reform of the Warm Home Discount, a social tariff, an Energy Debt Relief Scheme and wider Energy Ombudsman powers.
UK household energy debt rises to eight-year high
Uswitch research published on 15 October 2025 finds UK household energy debt at an eight-year high of £780 million, with the average household owing £223 to its supplier.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem standing charge consultation
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that a radical rethink of the standing charge should not be a priority now, backing pilots and better signposting over a mandate for lower or zero standing charge tariffs.
Ofgem opens call for input on reselling gas and electricity and the Maximum Resale Price direction
Ofgem has opened a call for input on the rules covering the reselling of gas and electricity, asking whether the Maximum Resale Price still protects consumers and supports investment.
British Gas Energy Support Fund reopens on day of 2% price cap rise
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its largest energy debt fund, offering grants of up to £2,000 to British Gas customers, on the day energy bills rose by 2%.
Flexi 2025 variable cost breakdown updated for the quarter from 1 October 2025
ScottishPower has updated the quarterly breakdown of variable costs inside its Flexi 2025 tariff from 1 October 2025, with Balancing Services Use of System rising on the single rate electricity table.