Statistics news in 2026
30 stories, newest first.
- September 2026
Heating oil spot price up 95.3 per cent year on year
EUA reports the heating oil spot price at 102.3p per litre on 14 September 2026, up 95.3 per cent on the same day last year and above the 12-month average of 77.8p.
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.
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.
Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
- August 2026
Press release on heat pump applications from heating oil households under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says thousands of households that heat with oil have applied for a heat pump using the £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
Phase 3 of MCS Data Dashboard launches
MCS has launched the third phase of its Data Dashboard, adding saved views, download identifiers and new tables and graphs covering small-scale renewable installations across the UK.
CPIH and CPI annual inflation rose in July 2026
The ONS reports that CPIH annual inflation rose to 3.1% and CPI to 2.9% in the 12 months to July 2026, the first increase in both rates since March 2026, driven by higher gas and electricity prices.
ONS releases Consumer price inflation, UK: July 2026 bulletin
The ONS reported that UK consumer price inflation rose in July 2026 for the first time since March, with gas and electricity the largest upward contributors after the July energy price cap change.
- July 2026
CPI 12-month inflation at 2.9% in July 2026
UK consumer price inflation rose to 2.9% in the 12 months to July 2026, the first increase since March, as a higher Ofgem price cap pushed gas prices up 14.7%.
Gas prices rise sharply month on month in July 2026
The Office for National Statistics reports that the CPI gas index rose 14.7% in the month to July 2026 and 8.0% over 12 months, the largest monthly gas rise since October 2022.
Online air conditioning installation requests rise more than 300% during heatwave
Online marketplaces reported air conditioning installation requests up by more than 300 per cent at the start of July 2026, as BESA warned about unqualified installation of refrigerant equipment.
- June 2026
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.
BEV market share reaches record 30.0% in June 2026
Battery electric cars took a record 30.0% share of UK new car registrations in June 2026, the highest monthly figure so far this year, but the SMMT says the market remains short of mandated targets.
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.
Survey finds 15 million UK adults unwell during June heatwave
Opinium research for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition found 28 per cent of UK adults, around 15 million people, felt unwell because of the heat during June's record-breaking heatwave.
- May 2026
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.
Battery electric vehicles reach 27.3% market share in May
Battery electric vehicles took a 27.3% share of UK new car registrations in May 2026, the highest monthly share so far this year, though the year-to-date figure remains below the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate target.
DESNZ data shows solar installation costs falling
Government data shows the cost of small scale solar installations fell by 7% and larger systems by 9% between 2024/25 and 2025/26, as ministers prepare loan support.
- April 2026
Four million UK homes now use air conditioning as temperatures forecast to hit 26°C
Uswitch research puts UK air conditioning ownership above four million homes, double the level of three years ago, as temperatures reach 26°C and fans add millions to weekly running costs.
New electric cars cheaper than petrol equivalents on average for first time
Autotrader analysis of advertised prices after discounts finds the average new electric car priced £785 below the average new petrol model, the first time new EVs have been cheaper on average.
Public EV charging cheaper than petrol or diesel for most drivers for first time in over a year
ChargeUK analysis of RAC Fuel Watch and Zapmap Price Index figures shows public charging at about 15p per mile against 17p for petrol and 17.5p for diesel, the first time in over a year it has been cheaper.
- March 2026
Cadent reports RIIO-2 fuel poverty figures as of 31 March 2026
Cadent has published fuel poverty and affordability figures correct as of 31 March 2026, reporting that it exceeded its RIIO-2 targets for advice, tools and Centres for Warmth.
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.
Record renewable electricity generation reached in the UK
Renewable power reached a record 65 per cent of UK electricity generation in March 2026, the Centre for Sustainable Energy reports, describing a grid where the timing of household electricity use shapes cost and carbon.
- February 2026
Heating oil prices rise almost 110% in a week
Heating oil prices rose by almost 110% in a week after strikes on Iran, prompting a £53 million government support package and warnings that bulk fuel deliveries are rarely inspected.
- January 2026
Government responds to EPC reform consultation and publishes MEES response alongside Warm Homes Plan
The government has confirmed that privately rented homes in England and Wales must reach EPC C across two metrics by October 2030, publishing its EPC reform and MEES responses alongside the Warm Homes Plan.
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.
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.
UK public charger count exceeds 115,000
Zapmap data for January 2026 puts the UK public charging network above 115,000 devices, including 26,557 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers spread across 6,673 locations.