UK energy bills will rise again in October

British households are facing a winter of higher energy bills after UK regulator Ofgem confirmed on Friday that the ‘price cap’ would rise by 10% from October.

It means that the average UK annual dual-fuel energy bill will increase to £1,717, up from £1,568.

This hike is primarily driven by rising wholesale gas prices due to geopolitical tensions and extreme weather events, Ofgem said.

The regulator reviews the energy price cap every three months and sets a maximum limit on what suppliers can charge per unit.

This winter’s cap is lower than last year's peak, but it is still substantially above the levels seen before the energy crisis that followed the war in Ukraine.

Consumer advocates encouraged energy customers to explore fixed-rate energy deals, meanwhile, the regulator also advised consumers to ensure they are receiving all available benefits, particularly pension credit, to help manage energy costs.

The exact amount that households bills increase by will vary depending on energy usage, location, and the payment method they use.