<\/p>\n
\n The MoneySavingExpert founder has urged households sitting on standard variable tariffs to look at their options now, after the latest forecasts pointed to another major rise in energy bills.\n<\/p>\n
\n Martin Lewis said: “I’m afraid it’s now predicted the energy Price Cap will rise 24% in January. The Cap applies to all firms’ standard tariffs (bar in N. Ireland), so if you’re not on a fix or special deal, you, like most people, are on it.\n<\/p>\n
\n “If you are on it, the safest thing to do is to fix, using a whole-of-market comparison such as MSE’s CheapEnergyClub.com .”\n<\/p>\n
\n The warning comes after the Price Cap is already due to rise in October.\n<\/p>\n
\n I’m afraid it’s now predicted the energy Price Cap will rise 24% in January. The Cap applies to all firms’ standard tariffs (bar in N. Ireland), so if you’re not on a fix or special deal, you, like most people, are on it.<\/p>\n
If you are on it, the safest thing to do is to fix, using\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/NzkFglOZS9\n <\/p>\n
\n \u2014 Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) September 16, 2026\n <\/p>\n
\n Ofgem has confirmed the cap will increase from \u00a31,663 a year to \u00a31,723 for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit from October 1.\n<\/p>\n
\n The January figure is not yet confirmed, but MoneySavingExpert’s latest forecast puts it at around \u00a32,152 a year \u2013 a potential 24.9% jump on the October level.\n<\/p>\n
Energy bills could jump by nearly 25%<\/p>\n
\n The latest MSE forecast suggests a typical dual-fuel household could face an average Price Cap of \u00a32,152 a year from January.\n<\/p>\n
\n That would be around \u00a3429 more than the October figure.\n<\/p>\n
\n Energy price cap for households in Britain, including figure from October 2026 (Image: PA Wire)\n<\/p>\n
\n However, this is only a forecast and could change before Ofgem announces the January-March cap on November 25.\n<\/p>\n
\n The prediction is based on wholesale energy prices and other costs feeding into Ofgem’s calculation.\n<\/p>\n
\n MSE warns that the forecast is still relatively early and could move significantly before the final figure is known.\n<\/p>\n
What is the Energy Price Cap?<\/p>\n
\n The Price Cap limits the maximum unit rates and daily standing charges suppliers can apply to standard variable or default tariffs.\n<\/p>\n
\n It does not cap your total bill \u2013 the more energy you use, the more you pay.\n<\/p>\n
\n The cap is reviewed every three months and applies to households in England, Scotland and Wales on default tariffs.\n<\/p>\n
Who is affected?<\/p>\n
\n The warning is particularly important for households who have never switched supplier, have allowed a fixed deal to expire, or are otherwise sitting on a standard variable tariff.\n<\/p>\n
\n If you are already on a fixed-rate tariff, the Price Cap increase does not normally affect your agreed rates.\n<\/p>\n
\n Energy price cap, up to July 2026 (Image: PA Wire)\n<\/p>\n
Martin Lewis says fixing could be the safest option<\/p>\n
\n Martin Lewis is urging households on the Price Cap to consider fixing if they want protection from further increases.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, a fixed tariff is not automatically cheaper than staying on the cap.\n<\/p>\n
\n MSE’s latest analysis suggests some of the cheapest fixes are currently below the October Price Cap, but the saving depends on the tariff, location and energy use.\n<\/p>\n
\n The trade-off is certainty: a fixed deal can protect against future Price Cap rises, but you could miss out if variable rates subsequently fall.\n<\/p>\n
\n Recommended reading:\n<\/p>\n
What happens next?<\/p>\n
\n The October Price Cap will run from October 1 to December 31, with the next rate due to be announced on November 25.\n<\/p>\n
\n For now, households face a choice between staying on a variable tariff and taking a fixed deal.\n<\/p>\n
\n With the latest forecast pointing to a potential 24.9% January increase, Martin Lewis’s message is to check what is available rather than simply allowing an existing deal to roll over.\n<\/p>\n