Ofgem's July energy price cap rise is the biggest jump in years, according to Uswitch, which said the increase will push up bills for households that remain on a standard variable tariff. The consumer comparison service published its response on 26 May 2026, ahead of the cap taking effect in July.
Uswitch said the rise exceeds 13 per cent. It stated that the last time the cap rose by more than 13 per cent was in January 2023, when rates jumped 20.6 per cent, though consumers did not pay that increase because of the Energy Price Guarantee. The last period in which consumers paid an increase of this scale was October 2022, when rates rose 27 per cent, capped by the Energy Price Guarantee1.
Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at Uswitch, said:
Uswitch said 12 million households are "sleepwalking into expected £202 energy price hikes in July"1. It also said two-thirds of those on standard tariffs are unaware that rates are rising, yet most say even a 10 per cent increase in energy costs would impact their finances1.
On fixed deals, Uswitch said households can currently lock in a rate that undercuts the July cap by around £250 for the average home. It said the cheapest fixed tariff in the market, from Fuse Energy, was priced at £1,614 for the average home with typical usage, correct as of 7am on 27 May 20261. The fixed tariff versus staying on the price cap comparison sets out how the two options differ, and the price cap history page lists every level since 2019.
The wholesale gas and electricity prices that feed into the cap are the main reason bills change, and the Energy Price Guarantee that limited earlier increases is now closed.
Why it matters for households
A standard variable tariff is the default for households that have not switched, so a cap rise feeds directly into what those homes pay per unit of gas and electricity. Uswitch's figure of £202 describes the expected annual increase for the average household, and its estimate of around £250 describes the gap between the July cap and the cheapest fixed deal available at the time of writing1.
For a home's energy independence, the practical difference is between a rate that moves with each cap announcement and one that is fixed for a set period. A fixed tariff removes exposure to the July rise but commits the household to a rate and, in many cases, an exit fee if it leaves early. The exit fees on fixed tariffs page explains when those charges apply, and leaving a standard variable tariff covers the position for those on default rates.
Uswitch said the pressure may build later in the year, when heating use rises. Neudegg said: "With prices forecast to stay high, the real pain will come when the heating goes back on in the autumn and through winter"1.
What happens next
The July cap takes effect in July 2026. Uswitch's pricing figures were correct as of 7am on 27 May 2026, and it said the cheapest fixed tariff at that point was from Fuse Energy at £1,614 for the average home with typical usage1. No further announcement dates are given in the sources.