As summer draws to a close, thoughts are already turning to the colder months ahead. For millions of households across the UK, however, winter brings more than darker evenings and colder weather – it brings the worry of how to afford to keep the home warm.
That concern has increased following Ofgem's announcement that the energy price cap will rise by 4% from 1 October 2026. For a typical household paying by Direct Debit for both gas and electricity, the annualised figure will increase from £1,663 to £1,723 – around £60 more a year.
On the surface, an extra £5 a month may not sound enormous. But for households already carefully balancing food, rent, energy and other essential bills, there may simply be nowhere left in the budget for another increase.
What does the new energy price cap actually mean?
It is important to remember that the £1,723 figure is not a limit on how much a household can be charged. The price cap limits the rates suppliers can charge customers on standard variable tariffs. The amount somebody actually pays still depends on how much energy they use.
This is particularly important when considering older people, families with young children, people spending more time at home and those living in poorly insulated properties. These households may need to use considerably more energy than the "typical" household on which the headline figure is based.
Around 22 million households are protected by the price cap, while approximately 35% of households are currently on fixed tariffs and will not be directly affected by the October increase.
There is a further sting as we head into winter. Ofgem says gas bills for a typical household will rise by around 8%, with higher wholesale gas prices responsible for much of the overall increase. Electricity costs are being cushioned by the temporary removal of VAT on domestic electricity bills between October 2026 and March 2027.
For households relying on gas central heating, that means the increase arrives at exactly the time of year when their gas consumption is likely to climb.
Millions are already living in fuel poverty
The latest official Government statistics estimate that 2.36 million households in England were living in fuel poverty in 2025, equivalent to 9.4% of households. The average "fuel poverty gap" – the reduction in energy costs needed to lift an affected household out of fuel poverty – was estimated at £379 per year.
There are different ways of measuring fuel poverty, and other organisations believe the true scale of the problem is considerably greater. National Energy Action uses a broader measure based on the proportion of household income required to adequately heat and power the home and estimates that more than six million UK households experience fuel poverty.
Whichever measure is used, the numbers represent millions of real households making extremely difficult choices.
For somebody who is already rationing their heating, the answer to a higher bill cannot simply be to "use less energy". They may already be heating only one room, delaying turning the heating on, going without hot meals or spending longer periods in a cold home.
The financial pressure has also built up over several years. Citizens Advice reported in July 2026 that more than four million households were behind on their energy bills, while household energy debt owed to suppliers had reached around £5 billion. The charity has also found that requests for help from prepayment customers who have effectively disconnected themselves because they cannot afford to top up remain above pre-energy-crisis levels.
A further increase therefore does not arrive in isolation. For many people, it is being added to existing debt and years of household budgets being stretched.
Small measures can still make a difference
Nothing can replace being able to heat a home properly, and warm clothing or blankets should never be viewed as a substitute for adequate heating. However, practical measures that help somebody retain warmth can offer valuable additional support – particularly for those already struggling.
Layering clothing, wearing warm socks, hats and gilets, using fleece blankets and safely using hot water bottles can all help an individual to remain warmer. Simple energy-efficiency measures such as reducing draughts around doors and windows can also help to retain more of the heat that has already been paid for.
This is where community support can make a genuine difference. Councils, charities, foodbanks, housing associations and community organisations are often on the front line, identifying people who may otherwise struggle through winter alone.
At Winter Warm Packs, we work with organisations across the UK to provide affordable winter essentials for vulnerable people. Packs can include items such as blankets, hats, gloves, socks, hot water bottles, thermal mugs and other practical products, with both ready-made and custom options available to suit different needs and budgets.
A warm pack cannot solve fuel poverty, but it can provide somebody facing a difficult winter with additional warmth, comfort and the reassurance that their community has not forgotten them.
Make sure support isn't being missed
Anyone worried about paying their energy bills should contact their energy supplier as early as possible. Ofgem states that suppliers must work with customers who are struggling and may be able to offer measures such as an affordable repayment plan or emergency credit.
The Warm Home Discount will also reopen for winter 2026/27, providing eligible households with a £150 discount on their energy bill. In England and Wales, most eligible households will receive the rebate automatically, although eligibility and the way support is provided differs across the UK.
As the temperature begins to fall, checking on neighbours, relatives and vulnerable members of the community can be just as important. A conversation, a little practical help or making somebody aware of support they did not know existed could make a considerable difference.
The latest price rise is another reminder that, for far too many people, keeping warm this winter will not be as simple as turning up the thermostat.