Find the best estate agent near you Start here
Energy bills will fall for almost all households in April 2026. However, experts warn prices could shoot up again in July due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. We explain what’s happening to the energy price cap – and how you can cut your energy bills now.
AT A GLANCE
Yes – typical energy bills will go down by 7% when the new energy price cap, set by Ofgem, comes into force on 1 April 2026.
In an unusual move, households on fixed energy deals will see price drops in April too, due to changes to policy costs announced by the government, which includes scrapping the Energy Company Obligation scheme and moving some charges onto general taxation.
These customers will be contacted by their supplier in the coming weeks about the specific change to their tariff.
But this reduction may be a brief respite because energy bills are predicted to shoot up by around 10% in July, due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
Find out instantly how much you can save on energy bills with our free switching service today
Here are the latest energy price cap predictions:
But one way to protect against the impact of rising prices is by fixing your energy deal.
Find out instantly how much you can save on energy bills with our free switching service today
Compare energy deals, see how much you can save on electricity and gas, switch provider today.
The further ahead the forecast, the less likely it is to be accurate.
British Gas says: “Global events play a big role. For example, if the conflict in Ukraine or tensions in the Middle East escalate, wholesale gas prices could rise – which may lead to higher energy bills in the future. Ofgem are also continuing to review how the price cap is calculated, and any future changes could affect prices.“
“I want to remind people that you don’t have to pay the price cap – there are better deals out there so it’s important to shop around, and talk to your existing supplier about the best deal they can offer you,” said Tim Jarvis, director general of markets at Ofgem.
While energy bills expert Martin Lewis is urging people to take action, saying: “Important: If you can get off the energy price cap right now, you should and urgently”
“The wholesale gas rate is spiking due to the conflict in the Middle East, and it is a prime driver of UK electricity prices. If that’s sustained (big if), it will likely push the [Energy] Price Cap rate up from July,” he said
“Some of the cheap fixes from before the weekend haven’t (yet) been pulled, so you can still lock in a rate at around 14% less than the current Price Cap, both saving you money and giving peace of mind that the rate can’t rise.
“Plus, fix now, and unprecedentedly the rate you lock in at will be reduced on 1 April.“
But bear in mind that exactly what will happen to energy prices in the longer term is subject to debate and global developments.
Compare energy deals, see how much you can save on electricity and gas, switch provider today.
This table illustrates how much energy prices have increased in recent months and what’s going to happen in April.
| Time period | Energy price cap amount |
| Old cap: 1 Apr – 30 Jun 2025 | Up 6.4% to £1,849 |
| Previous cap: 1 Jul – 30 Sep 2025 | Down 7% to £1,720 |
| Previous cap: 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2025 | Up 2% to £1,755 |
| Current cap 1 Jan – 31 Mar 2026 | Up 0.2% to £1,758 |
If you’re one of the 21 million households in the UK on a standard variable tariff, here’s how the new price cap will change how much you pay:
| CURRENT price cap rates from 1 Jan to 31 Mar 2026 | FUTURE price cap rates from 1 Apr to 30 Jun 2026 | |
| Gas | Unit rate: avg. 5.93p per kWh Standing charge: 35.09p per day | Unit rate: avg. 5.74p per kWh Standing charge: 29.09p per day |
| Electricity | Unit rate: avg. 27.69p per kWh Standing charge: 54.75p per day | Unit rate: avg. 24.67p per kWh Standing charge: 57.21p per day |
UK households have been facing increased energy costs since 2022, when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out. While energy costs aren’t as high as the peaks we’ve seen, energy prices are still high and unaffordable for many.
In terms of April’s energy price fall, Dr Craig Lowrey, Principal Consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: “It’s the drop in policy costs, as a result of Government interventions, that is doing most of the heavy lifting and, while wholesale costs have come back into the headlines in recent weeks, the impact on April’s bills is minimal.”
Avoid rising energy prices and save money by switching to a fixed energy deal. Find out instantly how much you can save with our free switching service today
Compare energy deals, see how much you can save on electricity and gas, switch provider today.
Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, says, ‘You don’t need to accept these higher energy prices. We advise people to shop around and switch energy suppliers to ensure you’re on the best deal for you.’
Compare energy deals, see how much you can save on electricity and gas, switch provider today.
Yes, some help is available for energy bills. For example, individual energy companies have hardship funds. Also, if you’re a pensioner and weren’t eligible for the winter fuel allowance last year, you may be eligible this year.
In June 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that pensioners in England and Wales with an annual income of £35,000 or below will now be eligible – around nine million people.
More than 10 million pensioners had lost the payment, worth up to £300 last year, when it was paid only to those on pension credit. Find out more in our guide on Energy grants and how to get them.
Avoid rising energy prices by shopping around and switching to a fixed energy deal. Find out instantly how much you can save with our free switching service today
Compare energy deals, see how much you can save on electricity and gas, switch provider today.
Here are the historic price changes to Ofgem’s energy price cap, which shows how energy bills have increased and decreased in recent years.
| Price cap period | Ofgem energy price cap | Price cap change vs previous period |
| October-December 2025 | £1,755 | +2% |
| July – September 2025 | £1,720 | -7% |
| April – June 2025 | £1,849 | +6.4% |
| January – March 2025 | £1,738 | +1% |
| October – December 2024 | £1,717 | +10% |
| July – September 2024 | £1,568 | -7% |
| April – June 2024 | £1,690 | -12% |
| January – March 2024 | £1,928 | +5% |
| October – December 2023 | £1,834 | -7% |
| July – September 2023 | £1,976 | -37% |
| April – June 2023 | £3,116* | -23% |
| January – March 2023 | £4,059* | 20% |
| October – December 2022 | £3,371* | 80% |
| Summer 2022 | £1,877 | 54% |
| Winter 2021/22 | £1,216 | 12% |
| Summer 2021 | £1,084 | 9% |
Source: Ofgem data. *This was replaced by the £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee
Once you’ve shopped around for the best energy deal, the other way to save on energy bills is to use less. You can do this by:
For more ideas read our Top 10 Energy Saving Tips guide
Compare energy deals, see how much you can save on electricity and gas, switch provider today.
