Stories

Tue, 30 Jun 2026

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 Plea for households to read energy meter as prices rise

Household energy prices have risen by 13% a year as regulator Ofgem's latest price cap kicks in.

*Those on variable tariffs should submit meter readings to avoid paying previous usage at new higher rate
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*Price cap set to increase by £18 per month for a typical household using electricity and gas
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*Households will see a 24% increase on their gas bills and 5% on their electricity bills, with standing charges remaining almost unchanged
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*Ofgem has reduced its estimate of "typical" energy use due to households cutting back on usage in recent years
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*A social tariff is being called for by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to reduce the burden of energy bills on most households
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*The amount owed to energy suppliers by customers rose to a record high of £4.79bn in the first three months of the year
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*Suppliers offer support schemes for those struggling to pay their energy bills, but companies can only help if informed by the customer
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*30% of UK adults are financially fragile and may be only one bill shock away from financial crisis, according to a new report
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