Powering Homes news
Will the price cap rise again this winter? Has a grant changed, or has a new one opened? Is the maker of your boiler, battery or heat pump still trading?
We follow the government, the regulators and the industry bodies, and we report each change in plain English: who it affects and what it means for your bills. Every story links to our guides on what to do next.
- November 2026
Flintshire pledges direct contact with eligible households over £100 payment
Flintshire County Council says it will contact eligible households directly when the £100 Welsh Government energy bill payment arrives, expected in the new year.
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.
Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of HomeEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
National Grid net debt of £48bn reported and set to rise
National Grid's latest accounts show net debt of £48bn at 30 September, with a further £4bn expected within six months and the chief finance officer pointing to £60bn to £70bn by 2031.
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.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
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.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
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.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Independence
Publication of analysis of the impact of government energy support on household incomes in England
HM Treasury analysis published on 3 November 2026 estimates that government household energy support will be worth around £160 on average to households in England in 2026-27, with the lowest earners gaining most.
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.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationSmart Meters
Winter Fuel Payments of between £150 and £400 pay out from November 2026
Winter Fuel Payments of between £150 and £400 reach state pensioners from November 2026, while a new £100 Household Energy Payment for homes in Council Tax bands A to D in England follows from January.
- October 2026
Government issues Council tax information letter 6/2026 on Household Energy Payment 2027
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has written to councils in England with initial information on the Household Energy Payment 2027 and the next steps for delivering it.
£1bn cut to Warm Homes Plan announced
The Autumn Budget cut £1bn from the Warm Homes Plan, leaving Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding at £400m in 2027-28 rather than the £600m previously allocated, with grants unchanged for now.
Budget confirms Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding for 2027-28
The Budget of 28 October 2026 confirmed Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants of £7,500, or £9,000 for homes on oil or LPG, for 2027-28, while capping annual scheme funding at £400 million.
Budget ends zero-rated VAT for solar panels from April 2027
The 2026 Budget leaves zero-rated VAT for energy saving materials, including solar panels fitted to homes, unextended beyond the end of March 2027, alongside cuts to warm homes funding.
Budget pledges £100 million for EV drivers without home charging
Chancellor John Healey has pledged £100 million over two years from spring 2027 to cut charging costs at lower-powered public charge points near homes, saving drivers who rely on them around £150 a year.
Chancellor did not extend 0% VAT rate at the Budget
Chancellor John Healey did not extend the 0% VAT rate on heat pumps, solar panels and solar batteries at the Budget, so installations will carry 5% VAT from 1 April 2027.
Fuel duty frozen for 16th year and 5p cut extended
Chancellor John Healey's budget on 28 October 2026 froze fuel duty for a 16th year and extended the temporary 5p per litre cut to July 2027, alongside a £100 household energy payment and the removal of gas standing charges.
Ofgem opens call for input on prepayment meter protections
Ofgem has opened a call for input on the rules suppliers must follow when installing prepayment meters to recover debt without a customer's agreement, with responses due by 23 December 2026.
Ofgem opens consultation on moving home process guidance
Ofgem has opened a consultation on proposed guidance for domestic energy suppliers on supporting customers through home moves, including when a smart meter can be switched remotely to smart pay as you go mode.
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.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
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.
Benchmark commissioning and servicing records move to digital
The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council has urged homeowners to download and keep their heating appliance's digital Benchmark commissioning and servicing record, after the paper checklist was retired.
Warm Home Loans scheme launches across the UK
The government-backed Warm Homes Loan Scheme opened on 27 October 2026, offering interest-free and low-interest loans of up to £35,000 for heat pumps, solar panels and batteries across the UK.
Warm Homes Loan Scheme factsheet published with ten initial lenders
DESNZ has published the factsheet for its Warm Homes Loan Scheme, naming ten initial lenders and setting maximum loan sizes for heat pumps, solar panels, batteries and other clean energy technology.
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.
Energy Bills and the Price CapYour Type of HomeRules and Regulation
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.
Storm Boelo leaves 39,000 customers without power in Great Britain
Storm Boelo left 39,000 customers without power across Great Britain on Monday morning, the Energy Networks Association said, while 785,000 households had been reconnected after weekend winds of up to 84mph.
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.
Where Our Energy Comes FromEnergy Bills and the Price CapStatistics
Plug-in solar panels approved for households in England, Scotland and Wales weeks ago
Plug-in solar panels have been approved for households in England, Scotland and Wales, with kits now sold in high street retailers for under £700 and demand reported to be high.
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.