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Sat, 03 Oct 2026

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 Suppliers pile pressure on government over energy bills

Immediate action is needed to help households struggling with bills this winter, says trade body Energy UK.

* Energy UK, the suppliers' trade body, has called on the government to take immediate action to help those struggling with energy bills this winter.
* Domestic gas prices rose by 4% in October and forecasts suggest a further 16% increase in January for households on variable tariffs affected by Ofgem's price cap.
* This would mean an annual bill of £1,999 for the typical household using both electricity and gas, up from £1,723.
* Energy UK accepts that the government has already provided some support, but says this has been wiped out by high wholesale prices due to international events such as conflict in the Middle East.
* The trade body is calling for targeted support over and above the Warm Home Discount, a debt relief scheme for severely affected households, and the removal of levies from electricity bills and their transfer to taxation.
* Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that the government is considering any measure that can give people breathing space and take the pressure off.