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Electricity & gas · the UK
Checked 2026-09-27

📈 My energy supplier is raising prices in the UK. What can I do?

The short answer

A supplier cannot raise your price overnight. It has to warn you in advance, and that notice often gives you the right to leave.

📜 The rules in the UK

Price rises

Ofgem resets the price cap every 3 months, so standard variable tariffs can change each quarter; the next change is on 1 January 2027. The notice a supplier must give before other price rises was not confirmed on official pages checked.

Official source: ofgem.gov.uk · Checked 2026-09-27

Switching supplier

Contact the new supplier; it arranges the switch, which must happen within 5 working days or it pays you £40. Leaving a fixed tariff early may cost an exit fee. If you owe money for more than 28 days you must usually repay first.

Official source: ofgem.gov.uk · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Read the letterNote the new price, the date it starts, and whether your contract has a fixed price until a certain date.
  2. Check if it is allowedA fixed price normally cannot be raised before its end date. Compare the notice you got with the rules for the UK below.
  3. Compare and decideCheck whether another offer is cheaper. If you leave because of the increase, do it before the new price applies.
  4. Complain if the rules were brokenIf you were not informed properly, complain in writing to the supplier, then to the dispute body below.

📇 Who to contact

Consumer Council energy price comparison tool (Northern Ireland only; Great Britain has no official comparator) officialCompare electricity and gas offersBefore you switch, or when your price goes up🔗 www.consumercouncil.org.uk/consumers/help-consumers/electricity-oil-and-gas/electricity-price-comparison-tool
Energy OmbudsmanSettles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 0330 440 1624🔗 www.energyombudsman.org
Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.ofgem.gov.uk
Utility Regulator (Northern Ireland)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.uregni.gov.uk

❓ Questions

Can a fixed price be raised?

Normally not during the fixed period, unless your contract says so. Taxes and levies can still change.

Do I pay an exit fee if I leave after a price rise?

In many countries you can leave without a fee when the price goes up. The rules for the UK are on this page.

What if I missed the letter?

Ask the supplier for a copy and the date it was sent. If they cannot show proper notice, complain.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

🔄Switching supplier→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→📣Complaint about a supplier→

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