Britons face highest price cap in three years as energy bills rise 4% from October
The increase adds about £60 a year for a typical household, while 11 million fixed-tariff customers are unaffected, Ofgem said.
- On Wednesday, regulator Ofgem announced a 4% energy price cap increase effective October 1, 2026, raising typical annual household bills by £60 to £1,723 amid volatile wholesale gas prices tied to the Middle East conflict.
- Global gas market volatility fueled by the Middle East conflict remains the dominant driver. Analysts at Cornwall Insight forecast a further 9% hike in January could push typical annual bills to £1,872.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham's VAT cut on electricity, intended to reduce costs by around £45, has been neutralized by the price cap increase. SNP Westminster Leader Dave Doogan contends the rise breaks the government's cost-of-living pledge.
- Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty warned the increase pushes energy prices to a three-year high, worsening household debt levels. Energy UK chief executive Dhara Vyas urged ministers to replace "stop-gap" measures with permanent, targeted support.
- Households are encouraged to explore fixed-rate tariffs available at £100 or more below the October cap, or contact suppliers for repayment plans. Ofgem urges struggling consumers to seek financial assistance as structural energy market reforms remain essential long-term solutions.
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79 Articles
More than 10 million households fear they can't afford energy bills
More than 10 million UK households are worried about being able to afford their energy bills this winter, according to research from Citizens Advice. The charity estimates that 3.5 million households are currently in energy debt, either behind on payments or unable to top up prepayment meters. The research found that only 19% of people in energy debt had been proactively contacted by their supplier with offers of support. The concern comes as Of…
Energy bills to rise to highest level in three years leaving households facing 'brutal winter'
Regulator Ofgem announced a 4% rise to its energy price cap, amounting to a £60 increase for the typical household The post Energy bills to rise to highest level in three years leaving households facing ‘brutal winter’ appeared first on Big Issue.
Ofgem price cap: how much are my bills set to rise?
Rising energy bills have been branded “difficult” by Prime Minister Andy Burnham after Ofgem raised its price cap by 4 per cent to a three-year high and analysts forecast a further 9 per cent hike from January.
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