UK Energy Bill Statistics 2026

UK households face a wide range of energy costs depending on payment method, location, and consumption. This page collects verified figures from Ofgem, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and the Energy Ombudsman into a single reference. Updated June 2026.

Headline figures for 2026

From 1 July to 30 September 2026, the Ofgem default tariff cap for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit is £1,862 per year (Ofgem, Q3 2026 cap). This figure is derived from the new TDCVs of 2,500 kWh electricity and 9,500 kWh gas, updated from 1 July 2026 to reflect lower average household consumption (Ofgem, TDCV consultation decision, 2026). The 13% quarterly increase is driven by higher wholesale gas prices (Ofgem, press release, 27 May 2026).

The price cap: unit rates, standing charges and consumption values

The Ofgem price cap sets a maximum amount suppliers can charge per unit of energy and per day in standing charges for customers on default variable tariffs across 14 distribution network regions in England, Scotland and Wales, with national averages published for Q3 2026 based on direct debit payments including 5% VAT (Ofgem, Q3 2026 cap). From 1 July 2026, Ofgem introduced revised TDCVs: the medium electricity assumption fell 7% to 2,500 kWh per year and gas fell 17% to 9,500 kWh per year, reflecting measured reductions in average household consumption since the previous review (Ofgem, TDCV consultation decision, 2026).

Energy debt and arrears

Total combined debt reached £4.55 billion at the end of Q4 2025, up 18% from Q4 2024, with over three-quarters sitting with customers who have no repayment plan (Ofgem, Debt and Arrears Indicators, Q4 2025). Forced disconnections for non-payment have remained at zero since 2023 (Ofgem, Debt and Arrears Indicators, Q4 2025).

Consumption and smart meters

The domestic sector consumed 34.0 mtoe of energy in 2024, a 3.8% increase from 2023, with slightly cooler temperatures cited as a contributing factor (DESNZ, Energy Consumption in the UK 2025). Mean domestic electricity consumption across Great Britain in 2024 was 3,323 kWh per meter annually and mean gas consumption was 11,359 kWh per meter annually (DESNZ, Subnational Electricity and Gas Consumption Summary Report 2024). Smart meter deployment reached 41 million smart and advanced meters at end-2025, representing 71% of all meters (DESNZ, Q4 2025 Smart Meters Statistics Report).

Complaints

The Energy Ombudsman accepted 80,256 cases in 2025, down 14% from 92,938 in 2024, with billing-related disputes accounting for 56% of all cases (Energy Ombudsman, Annual Data 2025). The maximum financial award for domestic complainants is £10,000, and the most common remedy is a Time and Trouble payment of around £50 (Energy Ombudsman, Terms of Reference, energy sector).

Trends over time

The Ofgem default tariff cap has changed quarterly since its introduction in January 2019. The table below uses the typical dual-fuel direct debit bill as the consistent comparison metric; note that TDCV changes in October 2023 and July 2026 affect comparability across periods (Ofgem, cap announcements).

Regional breakdown

The Ofgem price cap sets 14 separate rate schedules across distribution network regions in England, Scotland and Wales; unit rates vary by region, primarily reflecting differences in local network costs (Ofgem, Q3 2026 cap). Northern Ireland is outside the Ofgem framework; the Utility Regulator approved a 6.2% increase in Power NI's domestic electricity tariff and a 15.7% increase in Firmus Energy's Ten Towns gas tariff from 1 July 2026 (Utility Regulator NI, July 2026).

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ofgem energy price cap in July 2026?

From 1 July to 30 September 2026, the cap for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit is £1,862 per year, a 13% rise on Q2 2026's £1,641 (Ofgem, Q3 2026 cap announcement, May 2026). Average unit rates are 26.11p/kWh for electricity and 7.33p/kWh for gas, plus standing charges of 57.19p/day (electricity) and 29.04p/day (gas), across England, Scotland and Wales (Ofgem, Q3 2026 cap).

What are the Typical Domestic Consumption Values used in the cap?

From 1 July 2026, Ofgem uses revised TDCVs of 2,500 kWh electricity and 9,500 kWh gas per year, replacing the previous values of 2,700 kWh and 11,500 kWh in place since October 2023 (Ofgem, TDCV review consultation decision, 2026). These are a benchmark for expressing the cap; actual bills depend on real consumption.

How much domestic energy debt is there in Great Britain?

Total combined domestic energy debt stood at £4.55 billion at Q4 2025, an 18% increase on Q4 2024, with average arrears of £1,773 per electricity account and £1,512 per gas account (Ofgem, Debt and Arrears Indicators, Q4 2025).

Does the price cap apply in Northern Ireland?

No. The Ofgem price cap applies only to Great Britain. From 1 July 2026, Power NI's domestic electricity tariff increased by 6.2% and Firmus Energy's Ten Towns gas tariff increased by 15.7% following a Utility Regulator review (Utility Regulator NI, July 2026 tariff decision).

How many smart meters are installed in Great Britain?

At end-December 2025, 41 million smart and advanced meters were operating, representing 71% of all meters, with approximately 2.8 million new smart meters installed during 2025, a 5.8% decrease on 2024 volumes (DESNZ, Q4 2025 Smart Meters Statistics Report).

How many energy complaints does the Energy Ombudsman handle?

The Energy Ombudsman accepted 80,256 cases in 2025, a 14% decrease from 92,938 in 2024, with billing disputes accounting for 56% of all cases (Energy Ombudsman, Annual Data 2025). The maximum financial award for domestic complainants is £10,000 (Energy Ombudsman, Terms of Reference, energy sector).