Energy Price Cap Rise; Millions Face Higher Bills from April
Millions of households across Great Britain are set to face higher energy bills from April after Ofgem announced a 6.4% increase in the energy price cap. The regulator confirmed that the average annual dual-fuel bill will rise by £111 to £1,849, marking the third consecutive quarterly increase. This adjustment reflects a surge in global wholesale energy prices and inflationary pressures, with the cap now £159 higher than the same period last year.
The rise, which exceeds earlier predictions of a 5% increase, will directly impact around 9 million homes on variable tariffs. For those on fixed tariffs, the effect will be delayed. The cap limits the rate suppliers can charge per unit of energy rather than capping total bills, meaning households using more energy will face even higher costs. From April, electricity prices will rise from 25p to 27p per kilowatt hour, while gas prices will increase from 6.34p to 6.99p per kilowatt hour.
Campaigners have warned that the hike will place additional strain on vulnerable households already struggling with energy debt and rising living costs. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband attributed the increase to volatile fossil fuel markets and reiterated the government’s commitment to transitioning to a clean energy system to reduce reliance on international gas markets. The government is also consulting on expanding the Warm Home Discount scheme, which could provide £150 off winter energy bills for an additional 2.7 million households, including nearly 1 million families with children.
Ofgem Chief Executive Jonathan Brearley acknowledged the challenges posed by rising bills but emphasised the importance of investing in a cleaner, homegrown energy system to stabilise prices in the long term. Meanwhile, campaign groups and charities have called for immediate action to protect vulnerable households, including the introduction of social tariffs and measures to address unsustainable energy debt. The latest increase underscores the ongoing impact of the global energy crisis on British households, with further price adjustments expected later in the year.
Average annual energy bill to rise to £1,849 in Great Britain from April
Ofgem’s bigger than expected £111 rise is third consecutive increase in energy price cap
www.theguardian.com
The energy price cap rise heaps more misery on Brits
Average gas and electricity bills will rise by £111 a year in April after the regulator Ofgem announced an increase to the energy price cap
www.spectator.co.uk
Energy bills to rise even more than expected after third straight price cap hike
The new price cap is set at £1,849 - it had been feared to be rising even further in April
www.independent.co.uk
Energy price cap rises for third time in a row as Britons face increase higher than experts expected
Analysts had previously forecast Ofgem's price cap to rise by five per cent but the average energy bill is now expected to be more expensive
www.gbnews.com
Energy bills for typical household to rise to £1,849 a year from April
Annual bills will now be nearly £160 more expensive than a year ago but an extra four million people have signed up for a fixed tariff since November
news.sky.com
Energy bills to rise by more than expected as Ofgem increases price cap | ITV News
Ofgem said the rise will equate to £111 for an average household per year, or around £9.25 a month, over the three-month period of the price cap. | I
www.itv.com