The energy price cap is rising for households across England, Scotland, and Wales. This change comes at a challenging time, right when most of us start relying heavily on our central heating. We break down how this will affect household budgets and where you can get help and assistance.
How much is the Energy Price Cap going up by?
The energy price cap is set to rise by a year for the average household in England, Scotland, and Wales, effective on Wednesday the 1st of October 2025.
That works out to about a increase on your overall bill, taking the average household’s annual cost for gas and electricity (paid by direct debit) from to .
How Does this Affect My Household Budget?
If you currently pay for your gas and electricity through direct debit, your annual bill is going up by , bringing the total from to .
We know that every little increase adds up, and debt charity StepChange confirms this struggle is real: they’ve seen a increase in the average amount of energy debt for their clients seeking help over the last two years, showing that even this “small amount” can make a big difference to those already finding things tough.
Why the Energy Price Jump Happening Now?
This increase is hitting right as the weather gets cooler and you start flipping on the central heating, which naturally adds more strain to your household budget. For instance, Uswitch figured that the average home on a standard tariff might spend around on energy in October, compared to in September. This jump is due to a combination of both higher rates and the fact that you’re just using more energy as autumn rolls in.
You might be wondering why costs are rising when wholesale energy prices actually dipped by in the three months before the regulator, Ofgem, made this latest price cap decision. While the increase might seem small on its own, it comes at a tough time.
Need Help with Energy Bills?
https://sthelenscab.org.uk | 01744 737866
https://citizensadvicewirral.org.uk | 0808 278 7848