Overview

• Ofgem’s cap increases by about 2% from October 1, taking a typical dual‑fuel bill to £1,755 a year, with higher autumn consumption expected to push monthly spend above September levels.
• Uswitch warns more than seven million customers on standard tariffs without working smart meters should submit readings by October 1 to avoid September usage being billed at higher October rates, estimating a one‑week difference of £17.02 per home or £125 million nationwide.
• Suppliers have different submission windows and some allow short backdating; current guidance cites Scottish Power (Oct 5), E.ON Next (Oct 6), Octopus (Oct 8), EDF (Oct 9), OVO (Oct 11) and British Gas (Oct 14).
• Standing charges are set to rise by 4% for electricity and 14% for gas (about 7p a day), tied to the Government’s broadened Warm Home Discount that is expected to reach roughly 6.1 million households, including 900,000 families with children.
• Energy experts highlight fixed‑rate deals reported to undercut the October cap by around £215 for the average home, and OVO has announced a winter support package offering eligible customers items such as electric blankets plus bill support options.