Households warned to submit meter readings before Thursday or face paying higher energy rates for October

From the Newshound archive · first published 27 September 2026 · last updated 28 September 2026.

More than four million homes without smart meters risk being billed at higher rates for energy already used if they fail to submit a reading before Thursday 1 October, when the price cap rises 4%. The typical household's annual bill will climb from £1,663 to £1,723, adding around £60 a year, with October energy costs expected to jump a third versus September as colder weather and higher unit rates combine. Energy expert Ben Gallizzi at Uswitch warned that without a reading, suppliers will estimate usage, potentially charging pre-October consumption at the new, steeper rate.

The October rise could be dwarfed by what follows — Uswitch forecasts the January 2027 price cap at £2,117, a 23% jump and the biggest quarterly leap since the energy crisis.

Households on standard tariffs can also dodge the hike entirely by locking into a fixed deal before Thursday, Uswitch says.