The average household energy bill is to increase by £149 from 1 October 2024 after Ofgem said it was hiking its price cap by 10% from the current £1,568 for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales to £1,717.
Meanwhile, analysis by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition for for the Telegraph newspaper has found that in real terms, the changes this winter mean that some older people will face the highest energy bills they have seen.
The figures show that changes this winter mean that older people who previously had the maximum winter fuel payment – and will no longer get the payments under the new arrangements – will face the highest energy bills on record.
| Average household energy bill (non-pensioner) | Average household energy bill (pensioner on max WFP rate) | |
| Winter 2020/21 | £ 1,042 | £ 742 |
| Winter 2021/22 | £ 1,277 | £ 977 |
| Winter 2022/23 | £ 2,100 | £ 1,500 |
| Also includes EBSS, EPG & WFPCOL | ||
| Winter 2023/24 | £ 1,834 | £ 1,234 |
| Also includes WFPCOL | ||
| Winter 2024/25 | £ 1,717 | £ 1,717 |
A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:
“Pensioners will feel the brunt of the energy price hike this winter. In fact, for older people who previously had the Winter Fuel Payment, new analysis shows that their bills this winter will be the highest on record.
“The Chancellor’s cruel decision to axe winter fuel payments for millions will prove a false economy as more vulnerable people succumb to the health complications from living in cold damp homes and turn to the NHS for help this winter.”