Energy firms work together for plan to help Britons as bills are still high
As of early 2026, energy prices have stabilized significantly below the record highs seen during the 2022 crisis. The current Ofgem price cap for Q1 2026 (January to March) is £1,758 per year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit. Following a further decrease in wholesale costs and government policy shifts, the price cap is set to fall by 7% to £1,641 from 1 April 2026. Cornwall Insight’s latest forecasts suggest that bills will remain relatively steady throughout the remainder of 2026, hovering around the £1,620–£1,640 mark as the market enters a period of post-crisis normalization.
The pledges made by British Gas, Octopus, EDF, E.on, Ovo and Shell Energy energy bosses in 2022 have since evolved into a more robust, standardized support framework coordinated by Energy UK and Ofgem. Key outcomes currently available to struggling billpayers in 2026 include::
- The Universal Support Tool: Most major suppliers now utilize integrated AI-driven tools (such as Octopus Energy’s 'OctoAssist' and British Gas’s 'Energy Support Fund' portal) to automatically identify and offer tailored assistance to vulnerable customers.
- The Vulnerability Commitment: A formalized industry-wide blueprint ensures that all customers in debt are treated with a 'standard of care,' including mandatory breathing space and affordable repayment plans.
- Standing Charge Reform: Following years of campaigning, Ofgem has launched a one-year pilot of lower standing charge tariffs starting in April 2026. This allows eligible low-use households to opt for tariffs where fixed daily costs are reduced in exchange for slightly higher unit rates, helping those who actively cut their usage to see a direct impact on their bills.
As well as setting the maximum charge for those on a standard tariff, Ofgem also sets a limit on the maximum daily standing charge. The standing charge means billpayers will still be bound to pay a set amount even if they don’t use any energy at all.
In addition, the group of suppliers are considering becoming more transparent in explaining how they come to their calculations for bills with various payment options.
They promised to look at publishing full details of deals only available for existing customers so they can shop around more easily.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO of Ovo said: "In the energy crisis, energy companies need to be fighting for lower costs and finding new ways to help customers.
"This is going to be a very difficult winter for millions of customers. The problem is so big that we really need more support for vulnerable customers from the Government, but we also need to do everything we can to help as much as possible.
“Getting everyone around the table to find ways to help customers through this was a crucial first step. There is a lot of work to do but this meeting was a good start.”
The focus for energy suppliers has now shifted toward long-term resilience and the transition to the government's 'Warm Homes Plan.' With the price cap falling to its lowest level in nearly two years this April, now is an ideal time to review your options. According to Ofgem, households can currently save up to £200 a year by switching to a fixed-rate deal that sits below the cap. Read our updated 2026 Energy Switching Guide to compare the latest fixed tariffs before the April price drop takes effect.
Read our analysis on whether you should switch energy suppliers now ahead of the next price cap.