‘Most vulnerable will bear the brunt’ of rising energy bills 

‘Most vulnerable will bear the brunt’ of rising energy bills 
Date: 27th May 2026
Content Type: News Release

Immediate release

Contact: Nick Palmer, Press and Media Officer, nick.palmer@nea.org.uk Mobile: 07596 858719

‘Most vulnerable will bear the brunt’ of rising energy bills

    • A typical annual energy bill will rise 13% from July, Ofgem has announced

    • Typical households will pay £1,862 a year to keep warm and healthy at home

Ofgem has announced that the typical annual energy bill will rise to £1,862 from July, up from £1,641, with bills expected to remain high for the rest of the year.

National Energy Action Chief Executive Adam Scorer says, ‘The impact of the US-Israel conflict with Iran has already hit households reliant on heating oil and will be felt on gas and electricity bills from July. 

‘As always, the most vulnerable will bear the brunt. Low-income households are stuck on this rollercoaster of global energy prices. For them this is not a one-off price increase. It is an unrelenting pressure that builds and builds and builds, resulting in unprecedented numbers owing around £5.5 billion in energy debt and rationing their energy usage.

’With another tough winter coming, and bills expected to stay high, now is the time for the government to set out targeted interventions to help those on the lowest incomes afford their energy and to clear their debt. The government can also do more to streamline referral routes for fuel poverty support for both households with young children and those with serious health conditions.’

ENDS

Notes to editors

    1. National Energy Action (NEA), is the national fuel poverty charity, working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to improve the lives of people in fuel poverty. We directly support people with energy and income maximisation advice, and we advocate on issues such as the current energy crisis and the need to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. See: www.nea.org.uk.

    1. Ofgem estimates the typical household in England, Scotland and Wales uses 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas in a year.

    1. Energy UK consumer debt estimate: https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/news/energy-uk-raises-alarm-over-5-5-billion-energy-debt-crisis/

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