Britain's Energy Price Cap to Rise 13 Percent From July 1

Millions of households across Britain will pay more for energy from July 1 after regulators confirmed a 13 percent increase in the price cap. Gas prices will rise 24 percent, the largest component of the adjustment. For a typical household using gas and electricity and paying by direct debit, annual costs will reach £1,862, an increase of £221 or roughly £18 per month.

Expert founder Martin Lewis urged households to review fixed-rate tariffs rather than remain on standard variable deals covered by the cap. He described the cap as the "pants cap" and advised using comparison sites that list all available deals. Lewis said the cheapest fixed deals vary by location and usage, and he recommended his Cheap Energy Club service because it shows every supplier.

He added that quoted savings should be compared against the current cap level. Which? advised avoiding contracts longer than 12 months or those with high exit fees. Uswitch stated that fixed deals currently available cost around £250 less than the July cap for a typical home.

On offer schemes that provide free electricity during selected periods. Households with combi boilers can lower the flow temperature to 60C or below to reduce consumption. Additional measures include lowering thermostat settings, running washing machines during off-peak hours, switching appliances off standby, and using air fryers instead of ovens.

Consumers without smart meters were advised to submit regular readings to avoid estimated bills.