Household energy bills in Great Britain are forecast to reach a three-year high this winter, as an expected 4% rise in the price cap threatens to wipe out a cut on electricity bills, according to analysis reported by the Guardian.
Key facts
- Energy bills across Great Britain are expected to hit a three-year high this winter, according to the Guardian.
- The energy price cap is forecast to rise by 4% from October 2026.
- The cap is projected to reach the equivalent of £1,729 a year for the final three months of 2026.
- The rise is linked to the impact of the Middle East war on energy prices, the Guardian reported.
- The forecast analysis was produced by energy consultancy Cornwall Insight.
Household energy bills across Great Britain are expected to climb to a three-year high this winter, according to analysis reported by the Guardian. The forecast points to renewed pressure on households as prices rise heading into the coldest months of the year.
The government’s cap on energy prices is on track to rise by 4% from this October, reaching the equivalent of £1,729 a year through the last three months of 2026, the Guardian reported, citing analysis by the energy consultancy Cornwall Insight.
The projected increase is attributed to the impact of the Middle East war, which the Guardian said is expected to wipe out a cut on electricity bills that the outlet linked to Andy Burnham. The report frames the rise as effectively cancelling out the benefit households would otherwise have seen from that cut.
According to the analysis, the higher cap could hit struggling households especially hard this winter.
The projections from Cornwall Insight give households and policymakers an early indication of the direction of bills before the cap is formally confirmed.
Why it matters
Energy costs are a central concern for household budgets, and a rise to a three-year high would squeeze many families during the winter months when usage is highest. The forecast also highlights how international events, such as conflict in the Middle East, can flow through to the bills that people pay at home.
Frequently asked questions
How much are energy bills expected to rise this winter?
According to analysis by Cornwall Insight reported by the Guardian, the energy price cap is on track to rise by 4% from October 2026, reaching the equivalent of £1,729 a year for the last three months of 2026.
Why are energy bills expected to increase?
The Guardian reported that the increase is linked to the impact of the Middle East war, which is expected to wipe out Andy Burnham's tax cut on electricity bills.
Who produced the forecast?
The forecast was produced by the energy consultancy Cornwall Insight, as reported by the Guardian.