- The Ofgem price cap is £1,723 a year for a typical household using electricity and gas, from 1 October to 31 December 2026.1
- Check the payments you may get: Cold Weather Payment (£25 a cold week), Warm Home Discount (£150) and Winter Fuel Payment or, in Scotland, its replacement.34
- Ask your supplier for a payment plan early if you may struggle, and check social tariffs for broadband, phone and water.78
- Last checked: 28 October 2026.
Worried about bills this winter? See the help and savings you may be missing, free. Check my bills
1. Know your energy prices this winter
Ofgem: the price cap is £1,723 a year “for the average household using both electricity and gas if this level was sustained for a year.”1
From 1 October to 31 December 2026, the average electricity unit rate is 26.32p per kWh with a 54.83p daily standing charge, and gas is 7.97p per kWh with a 29.68p daily standing charge, in England, Scotland and Wales.2
There is no VAT on household electricity in England, Scotland and Wales. 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.14
Gas standing charges: the Budget asks Ofgem to abolish them, “aiming for delivery by the end of 2027” or as soon as possible after (announced, needs legislation). “Ofgem will ensure that energy suppliers recover these costs through gas unit rates instead”, so the cost moves into the price per kWh: you will not save the whole standing charge.13
Ofgem says the cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027 will be announced by 25 November 2026.2
2. Check the winter payments
Cold Weather Payment: £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027, for people on certain benefits. Not in Scotland.3
Warm Home Discount: £150 off your electricity bill for people on certain benefits. Not in Northern Ireland.4
Winter Fuel Payment (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) for people born on or before 27 June 1960. In Scotland, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is £105.55 to £316.70.5
Northern Ireland: the Household Electricity Discount Scheme gives a £63 discount in 2026, applied automatically. Northern Ireland did not get the VAT cut; the £63 payment includes an alternative to it.6 nidirect: “Households will automatically get a discount to their electricity bill this year, in 2027 and 2028.” The amounts for 2027 and 2028 are not set yet.15
England: a £100 Household Energy Payment for homes in council tax bands A to D from January 2027 (announced, pending legislation). How it will be paid is not yet confirmed. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland get funding for similar support, not a confirmed payment.13
3. Talk to your energy supplier early
Ofgem says that if you are struggling, or think you may get into difficulty, you can ask your supplier to “agree a payment plan, payment break or reduction / review your current payments and debt repayments / give you access to financial support, called ‘hardship funds’”.7
If you are older, disabled, unwell or have young children, ask to join your supplier's Priority Services Register.
4. Cut other household bills
Broadband and phone: Ofcom says social tariffs are “cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits.”8
Water: CCW says “Every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you’re on a low income.” Who qualifies and how much help varies by company.9
Council Tax: GOV.UK says your bill “could be reduced by up to 100%” if you are on a low income or claim benefits. Northern Ireland has a different scheme.10
5. If money runs out
GOV.UK: “There will be no Cost of Living Payment for 2026 and there are no more payments planned in the future.”11
Your council can help with bills, food and essentials, and you do not have to be on benefits.12
Budget 2026: what changes for bills
The Budget on 28 October 2026 announced help with energy bills, including a £100 Household Energy Payment in England (announced, pending legislation). Each measure, with its status and dates, is on one page.13
6. Make a short list
Write down every bill with its amount and due date, check which of the payments above you may get, and note who to call first if a bill is likely to be late. A plan made in October is easier than one made in January.