British Gas, OVO and Octopus customers urged to act now or risk overpaying on energy bills as price cap set to rise by £200

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GBNEWS
Temie Laleye

By Temie Laleye


Published: 03/03/2025

- 11:00

A significant price cap increase is set to hit households across Britain from April 1

Energy customers of all major providers, including British Gas, Octopus, and Ovo, are warned that they need to act now or risk overpaying on their energy bills.

Millions of consumers could face paying an extra £200 per year unless they take immediate action.


The clock is ticking for households to secure better deals before providers raise their rates. Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will rise by six per cent from April 1 to June 30, 2025.

For a typical household using electricity and gas and paying by Direct Debit, bills will increase to £1,849 per year.

This represents an additional £9.25 per month - approximately £200 per year - for the average home across the UK.

An expert has warned that the price hike will affect millions of consumers unless they take preventative action.

British Gas, OVO and Octopus Energy logo

Households are warned the energy price cap will rise in April

GETTY

Gareth Whitehill, Director and Renewable Energy Consultant at Grant Store, said: "This six per cent increase could add an extra £200 per year to energy bills for millions of consumers, making it crucial to take action now to avoid unnecessary overpayments.

"An estimated 80 per cent of households in England, Scotland, and Wales are on price-capped variable tariffs, meaning the vast majority will feel the impact of this rise.

"Energy providers including British Gas, EDF, Octopus, and Ovo are expected to raise their rates accordingly. For many, this means higher monthly payments unless they secure a fixed deal now."

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Households should look beyond just price when choosing a new tariff. Customer service ratings, smart meter compatibility, and Government scheme eligibility are all important factors to consider before switching.

With just under a month until the changes take effect, energy customers "must act quickly" as fixed-rate tariffs available today might disappear as providers adjust to the new price cap.

Whitehill added: "Using an Ofgem-accredited comparison tool will help find the best options, but speed is key—deals that are available today might not be around much longer.


"For those looking to avoid the hike, it's important to compare fixed-rate deals now."

The price cap is reviewed every three months, with the April adjustment based on wholesale rates from mid-November to mid-February.

Current indicators suggest the cap is unlikely to drop significantly for the rest of 2025.

Energy bill

The energy price cap increase will see annual bills rise by £111 for typical households a year

PA


Whitehill said: "While future predictions always carry some uncertainty, current indicators suggest the cap is unlikely to drop significantly for the rest of the year.

"Fixed-rate tariffs won't be right for everyone, but for many, securing a deal now could provide instant savings and long-term financial security."

Taking action now could protect against both the immediate £200 annual increase and potential future rises.