The price cap limits the unit rate and standing charge on standard variable tariffs, not your total bill. Ofgem resets it every three months. If you use more energy, you still pay more.
Checked 8 October 2026Written by the MyBillChecker team
What the cap does and doesn't do
Does
Doesn't
Caps unit rates and standing charges on standard variable tariffs
Cap your total bill
Change every January, April, July and October
Apply to fixed tariffs
Vary by region and payment method
Cover business energy
The current cap
The cap rose by 4% from 1 October 2026 for a typical household paying by direct debit. Ofgem puts the typical annual bill at £1,723 (Ofgem).
Fuel
Unit rate
Standing charge
Electricity
26.32p per kWh
54.83p a day
Gas
7.97p per kWh
29.68p a day
These are GB averages for direct debit, for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your region and payment method can change them. Household electricity has no VAT from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Gas stays at 5% VAT (Ofgem).
Next change: 1 January 2027. Ofgem announces the new cap on 25 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Should I fix before the cap rises?
Only if the fixed rates beat the forecast cap over the deal's length. Compare total cost, including exit fees.
Why is my bill higher than the "typical" figure?
The typical bill assumes typical use. Your bill depends on how much you actually use.
