What the energy price cap 4% increase in October means for your bills

Need to knowThe price cap increase will hit homes hard this Winter12:39, 26 Aug 2026The rise will be unwelcome news for households across the nation(Image: PA)Ofgem, the energy regulator for the UK, has said that the price cap will rise by 4%. This affects all households across the country not on a fixed energy tariff.The regulator said bills will rise by £60 per year to £1,723 for the average household using both electricity and gas. That's the highest average bill since July 2023.Experts attribute this predicted increase to the continued uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict, which has elevated wholesale energy prices.Additionally, ongoing heatwaves across Europe have increased gas demand for power generation, as more energy is needed for air conditioning and cooling.The incre