Changes to energy price cap

Energy prices are changing

Ofgem, the energy industry regulator, has announced that from Wednesday 1 April 2026, the price cap on gas and electricity prices will decrease by 6.6%. 

The drop means that the typical household that pays by direct debit will see their average annual bill decrease to £1,641 a year for gas and electricity. This is a drop of around £10 a month on the current price cap. 

It's important to remember that the price cap doesn't limit your total bill and you could face higher bills if you use more energy than the typical household. With energy prices still higher than they were before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many households will still be concerned about keeping on top of their energy bills.

What is the energy price cap?

The energy price cap sets the maximum amount that suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity. 

From Wednesday 1 April 2026, the price of electricity will fall to 24.67p per kilowatt hour (kWh), down from the current 27.69p. Gas prices will fall to 5.74p per kWh, down from the current 5.93p.

Standing charges - a fixed daily charge that covers the cost of connecting to the supply - are changing too, falling from 35.09p to 29.09p for gas, but increasing from 54.75p to 57.21p for electricity. Standing charges vary by region.

What does this mean for you?

The price cap doesn’t limit your total bill. How much you actually pay will depend on: 

• how much energy your household uses
• how you pay your bill
• the type of meter you have; and
• the tariff that you're on.

So, if you need to use more energy – because you have a large family, or you have a health condition that means you need to have a warmer home - you could pay more than £1,641. 

It’s also worthwhile to ‘shop around’ – you might not be on the best tariff for your situation, and you might get a better energy deal from a different supplier. Read about how to get the best deal for your energy.

Easy ways to save energy

Not all energy-saving measures are expensive and time consuming. There’s lots of easy and inexpensive ways you can cut your energy use and save money - discover our top tips. You can also read our tips on how to stay warm at home for less.
 

Need help to make your home warmer?

If you’re struggling to keep on top of your energy bills and keep warm at home, you could be eligible for support from the Scottish Government’s Warmer Homes Scotland programme. More than 50,000 households have received help to install heating, insulation and more.

Read more about Warmer Homes Scotland.
 

Get help

If you’re worried about your energy bills, we’re here to help – call us on 0808 808 2282  or, if you’d rather speak to someone over email or WhatsApp, get in touch via our website contact form today.

Our friendly advisors are on hand to give you free, expert and impartial advice about ways you can reduce your bills and make your home warmer. They can explore any funding available and offer specialist advice if you need additional support.

If you need help, don't delay - get in touch today. If you're struggling to pay your bills, help is available - find out where to turn for financial support.