Around 15 million families will see their energy bills soar by at least £139 after a regulator hiked the price cap with a record increase.
The sharp 12% rise, which will impact half the population, is driven by a surge of more than 50% in wholesale fuel costs over the last six months with gas prices hitting a record high as global economies recover from the COVID-19 crisis, according to Ofgem.
From October, energy customers on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £139 from £1,138 to £1,277.
Pre-payment customers will see costs rise by £153, from £1,156 to £,1309.
Image: Record gas prices as the world emerges from lockdown have been blamed for driving up the energy capSurging global fuel prices are already driving up inflation for consumers, making fixed rate energy tariffs, which are usually better value but not covered by the price cap, more expensive.
AdvertisementEven ahead of the rise, Ofgem had moved to alert householders still reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Campaigners have also said the increase “comes at the worst possible time” and warned it will push an extra 488,000 households into fuel poverty, with more than four million people already estimated to be behind on their household bills.
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Responding to the price cap announcement, Wales’ Labour leader Mark Drakeford made a direct appeal to the chancellor not to remove the Universal Credit uplift.
How to switch energy suppliers in seven simple steps
Speaking to Sky News, Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley said: “We know how difficult this is going to be for many customers, but what we can’t do is ask companies to sell their energy for less than they buy it for.
“But there is a great deal of help and support that is available.”
Wales leader appeals for energy bills helpRepeatedly pressed on whether the move would force some families into fuel poverty, he said: “We accept that this will change the circumstances of families, so yes we do accept that this is going to be difficult for many families.
“Families need to make sure they access the support and advice that is available.”
Ofgem reviews and changes the price cap once every six months.
Energy suppliers are required to price below the limit, with most setting prices just a couple of pounds under.
The price cap is supposed to offer a safety net for customers by making sure that suppliers only pass on legitimate costs.
Those on default tariffs save an estimated £75-£100 every year as a result, according to Ofgem.
People worried about paying their bills are advised to contact their supplier about available support or shop around before the increase takes effect.
But Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said: “This unprecedented hike in energy bills comes at the worst possible time for millions of households across the country.
“Switching advice and the price cap may provide some protection from the worst excesses of the energy market, but this will be no comfort to those now facing the stark choice between heating and eating.”
Analysis: Helen-Ann Smith, Business CorrespondentThe reason for the rise is simply that the wholesale price of energy has skyrocketed, with coal soaring and gas now at record highs.
Prices had actually taken a dip at the outset of the pandemic as the world stayed at home and demand fell.
But since then there has been a shortfall in the production of natural gas, a sudden post pandemic boost in demand and some localised problems that have disrupted energy supplies; a drought in china and flooding in Indonesia to name just a few.
Add to that months of pandemic related delays and disruption at every stage of the supply chain and you have what some analysts have called a “perfect storm” pushing up commodity prices.
Such high value for commodities that we are in theory meant to be transitioning away from is certainly worth noting.
The price of high energy Australian coal, for example, which is used as a benchmark for the Asian market, has climbed to the highest level since September 2008.
It’s telling that disruption in the fossil fuel market can have such an impact on consumer bills – the reality is that renewable sources just aren’t there to fill the gaps yet.
In 2020, renewables generated 43% of the UK’s electricity while fossil fuels still provided 38.5%.
There is no doubt that wind and solar facilities are expanding rapidly but the reality is they are a long way off offering a safety net for disruption in the fossil fuel market, our reliance on dirty fuel is still deeply entrenched.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “The level at which energy prices are capped is of enormous importance to older people, because we know they are less likely to switch providers for a better deal – especially if they are not online, which is the case for about half of the 75-plus population.
“For all those who are therefore effectively stuck on their existing tariffs, the best protection they have against unfair and unaffordable fuel bills is a robust energy price cap.
“Unfortunately, the fact that the cap is going up significantly this year will set them up for a miserable and anxious winter.”
Image: Some pensioners face ‘a miserable and anxious winter’, warns Age UKJames Plunkett of Citizens Advice said: “This price hike could lead to a perfect storm for families this autumn, hitting people at the same time as a Universal Credit cut and the end of furlough.”
Energy UK’s chief executive Emma Pinchbeck said: “We know this price rise will come at a difficult time for many customers who may already be facing financial challenges.
“Any customers worried about bills should contact their supplier so they can see what help might be available.”
Image: Campaigners say the increase ‘comes at the worst possible time’Pointing to rising wholesale prices, she added: “Ofgem sets the price cap at a fair level for customers but it also needs to reflect when suppliers face increased costs to allow them to keep operating in a market where most providers are making little or no profit at present.”
The increase comes as energy deals have reached the highest cost for more than two years, according to data from Compare the Market.
The average price for one of the cheapest deals on the market is currently £996, the highest charge seen since February 2019.
