Contact’s household bills help as energy prices rise

1 min read

Thursday 27 August 2026

Energy prices in England, Scotland and Wales will rise by 4% from 1 October, the regulator Ofgem has announced today.

The energy price cap is the maximum amount suppliers can charge for each unit and standing charge of energy. Average usage at this rate will see households facing annual bills of £1,723, up £60 from the current price cap of £1,663. If you are on a fixed tariff, this cap won’t apply to you. A different energy system applies in Northern Ireland.

It’s imporant to note that the energy price cap is not a cap on your bills. If your energy usage is higher than average, you will pay more.

This is often the case for families with disabled children, who face additional costs such as running life-saving equipment or needing to keep the heating on for longer.

Do you need help with energy costs? We have advice on our website to help families with disabled children find financial support – see the pages below.