Save money

Energy price cap rates by region: 1 October to 31 December 2026

Written by James Whitfield · Updated 28 October 2026 · 6 min read · Checked against 2026/27 DWP & HMRC rates
Contents (6 sections)
  1. Quick answer: regional price cap rates
  2. Direct Debit
  3. Standard credit (pay when you get the bill)
  4. Prepayment meter
  5. Why rates differ by region
  6. VAT and Northern Ireland
Quick answer: regional price cap rates
  • Ofgem: “Your unit rate and daily standing charge will be different based on where you live and if you pay your bills by:” Direct Debit, standard credit (paying when you get the bill) or a prepayment meter.1
  • The averages across England, Scotland and Wales by Direct Debit are 26.32p per kWh for electricity with a 54.83p daily standing charge, and 7.97p per kWh for gas with a 29.68p daily standing charge.1
  • Find your row below. The figures are Ofgem's own tables for single-rate tariffs.1
  • Last checked: 28 October 2026.

Worried about bills this winter? See the help and savings you may be missing, free. Check my bills

Direct Debit

“Prices include VAT on gas only and are rounded to two decimal places.”1

Price cap by Direct Debit, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (Ofgem)
RegionElectricity per kWhElectricity per dayGas per kWhGas per day
Eastern England26.61p51.84p7.91p29.34p
East Midlands25.36p51.45p7.82p29.41p
London26.60p42.92p8.15p30.20p
Merseyside and Northern Wales27.86p67.66p7.91p30.08p
West Midlands25.60p57.23p7.90p29.71p
North Eastern England25.46p61.58p7.92p29.79p
North Western England26.49p45.68p7.86p29.81p
Southern England26.47p47.81p8.17p29.16p
South Eastern England26.88p52.32p8.05p29.26p
Southern Wales26.55p55.41p8.09p29.96p
South Western England26.58p55.58p8.12p29.31p
Yorkshire25.60p61.67p7.90p29.77p
Southern Scotland26.11p61.41p7.87p29.89p
Northern Scotland26.35p55.14p7.87p29.87p

Standard credit (pay when you get the bill)

Ofgem's table for customers who pay on receipt of the bill.1

Price cap by standard credit, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (Ofgem)
RegionElectricity per kWhElectricity per dayGas per kWhGas per day
Eastern England28.11p60.62p8.34p37.50p
East Midlands26.78p60.05p8.24p37.50p
London28.09p50.51p8.58p37.49p
Merseyside and Northern Wales29.43p76.72p8.33p37.50p
West Midlands27.04p65.99p8.33p37.50p
North Eastern England26.89p70.61p8.35p37.50p
North Western England27.98p53.73p8.29p37.50p
Southern England27.95p56.41p8.61p37.48p
South Eastern England28.39p61.19p8.48p37.49p
Southern Wales28.05p63.93p8.52p37.49p
South Western England28.08p64.55p8.55p37.49p
Yorkshire27.05p70.67p8.32p37.50p
Southern Scotland27.58p70.19p8.29p37.50p
Northern Scotland27.83p63.67p8.29p37.50p

Prepayment meter

Ofgem's table for prepayment customers.1

Price cap by prepayment meter, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (Ofgem)
RegionElectricity per kWhElectricity per dayGas per kWhGas per day
Eastern England25.80p51.84p7.68p29.34p
East Midlands24.58p51.45p7.54p29.41p
London25.78p42.92p7.90p30.20p
Merseyside and Northern Wales27.01p67.66p7.62p30.08p
West Midlands24.82p57.23p7.64p29.71p
North Eastern England24.68p61.58p7.66p29.79p
North Western England25.68p45.68p7.58p29.81p
Southern England25.66p47.81p7.94p29.16p
South Eastern England26.06p52.32p7.78p29.26p
Southern Wales25.74p55.41p7.80p29.96p
South Western England25.77p55.58p7.89p29.31p
Yorkshire24.82p61.67p7.61p29.77p
Southern Scotland25.31p61.41p7.57p29.89p
Northern Scotland25.54p55.14p7.57p29.87p

Prepayment rates explained →

Why rates differ by region

Ofgem says standing charges are worked out from how many people live in your region, how much energy is used there on average, the amount of energy the supplier needs to buy, and the cost of building and improving the energy network.1

Not sure of your region? Use the postcode box in our running cost calculator, which uses Ofgem's own postcode list.

Find your region and work out a cost →

VAT and Northern Ireland

HMRC: “The temporary zero rate applies from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027.” The Budget on 28 October 2026 extended it from 31 March (announced; the legislation is due in early 2027). Gas stays at 5% VAT.2

Northern Ireland is not covered by Ofgem's cap. The Utility Regulator says: “We scrutinise and approve the maximum tariffs that Power NI can charge its customers”.3

Frequently asked questions

Why is my unit rate different from the average?
Ofgem sets a cap for each region and payment method. Find your region and how you pay in the tables.
Do these rates include VAT?
Yes. Ofgem's tables include 5% VAT on gas; there is no VAT on household electricity in Great Britain.
Is Economy 7 in these tables?
No. These are single-rate tariffs. Ofgem publishes no single night rate, so use the rates on your bill.

Try the calculators

Check your own figures: no login, no sign-up, instant results.

Sources & references

The figures and rules in this guide are drawn from the official UK government sources below. Rates are the confirmed 2026/27 amounts. Each link opens the relevant official page in a new tab.

  1. Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges, 1 October to 31 December 2026 www.ofgem.gov.uk/your-energy-supply/your-energy-bill/energy-price-cap-unit-rates-and-standing-charges
  2. HMRC: VAT on fuel and power (Notice 701/19), updated 28 October 2026 www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-on-fuel-and-power-notice-70119
  3. Utility Regulator (NI): Regulated tariffs www.uregni.gov.uk/regulated-tariffs
Verified against published UK government guidance.
Independent guide only. Written using published 2026/27 DWP and HMRC figures. Not an official government service. For case-specific guidance, contact Citizens Advice or a welfare-rights adviser. Methodology · Editorial standards

Written and reviewed by James Whitfield and the editorial team.

Every figure is checked against current GOV.UK guidance and reviewed for the 2026/27 tax year. We explain the numbers in plain English with worked examples. Editorial standards · About us