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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Sam Barker

Energy bills set to rise and fall much faster as Ofgem plans price-cap shake-up

Energy bills will rise and fall much faster under new rules being drawn up by energy regulator Ofgem.

The rules would see bill limits reviewed four times a year, rather than the current two.

Ofgem is reviewing its price cap, which limits how much consumers pay for energy.

The price cap works by limiting how much the average home pays for power every year, if they pay by direct debit on a variable rate tariff.

The price cap is currently reviewed once ever six months.

Ofgem is now consulting on doing this every three months.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below

An Ofgem statement said: "A more frequent price cap would reflect the most up to date and accurate energy prices and mean when prices fall from the current record highs, customers would see the benefit much sooner.

New rules are being drawn up by the energy regulator (Getty Images)

"This change would also help energy suppliers more accurately predict how much energy they need to purchase for their customers, reducing the risk of further supplier failures which ultimately push up costs for consumers."

Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley said: "Our top priority is to protect consumers by ensuring a fair and resilient energy market that works for everyone. Our retail reforms will ensure that consumers are paying a fair price for their energy while ensuring resilience across the sector.

“Today’s proposed change would mean the price cap is more reflective of current market prices and any price falls would be delivered more quickly to consumers.

"It would also help energy suppliers better predict how much energy they need to purchase for their customers, reducing the risk of further supplier failures, which ultimately pushes up costs for consumers."

The energy regulator currently sets its price cap based on wholesale gas prices from six months previously.

It now wants to set price caps based on gas prices three months beforehand.

Ofgem currently reviews the price cap in April and October.

The regulator increased this cap from £1,277 to £1,971 in its review in April 2022.

What is the Ofgem energy price cap?

Despite what its name suggests, the price cap isn't a limit on how much you pay for energy.

Instead, it sets a limit on the unit rate a supplier can charge for each unit of gas and electricity you use and is reviewed twice a year.

The price cap is altered every six months, in April and October.

It was introduced in 2019 and is based on a number of factors including the wholesale cost of power in the previous six months.

How to get help with your energy bills

British Gas has an Energy Trust fund that can be accessed by anyone, not just British Gas customers, providing you meet the eligibility criteria.

Help is also available from the following energy providers, if you’re an existing customer:

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