Why are UK Energy Prices so high? Support Ahead of July 2026
What you can do and how Green Doctors can help.
Conflict in the Middle East Effecting Energy Prices
Bills are set to rise again, and the risk of a substantial rise in the price cap increases due to uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East. This change would impact UK households’ fuel prices and energy bills.
According to End Fuel Poverty, UK gas prices have already skyrocketed 124% month-on-month and up 65% year-on-year, peaking since the conflict started in February. This three-year high in Gas and Oil prices follows attacks on energy sites across Iran and Qatar.
Are UK Energy prices Likely to Rise?
On the 27th of May, the British Government will release the July price cap based off Ofgem’s reports. In essence, this means your bills will be protected until at least 1st July 2026, as the April to June price cap has already been decided.
The price cap is a way of smoothing out these price spikes, delaying the offset costs from reaching consumers. But, if price instability continues, there is a risk of an increase being announced on the 27th of May. With households already struggling with the soaring cost of living, some may need external support to help them navigate this turbulent period.
We spoke to one of our service users, Pearl, and she expressed how the rising energy bills had been affecting her.
“It is very expensive. The bills were constantly rising. Money goes into energy bills then I do have a deficit in terms of other things in the house like my rent, my food shopping, clothing for my children, and day to day activities like travel.”
How to Reduce your Energy bills
Many people feel like their energy bills are taken out of their hands, and they are paying the price for geopolitical tensions they have little control over. Green Doctor wants to share some practical ways people can help themselves, in reducing their energy bills and tackling their anxieties over the ever-increasing energy prices.
We spoke to Daniel Brittle, Green Doctor Service Manager for London and South England, on the measures people can take to make their home more energy efficient and feel more in control.
“One of the things they can do is to be aware of energy usage. If they have a smart meter, monitor their usage on their smart meter in real time. If they don’t have a smart meter, they can submit meter readings regularly to their energy company so that their bills are based on their actual usage rather than estimated usage.”
Other things he mentioned people can do are small-scale energy efficiency improvements around their home, like fitting draft proofing or radiator foils to their radiators, which can be bought from most DIY stores.
A service like Green Doctors is important in times of energy instability as it provides people with clarity on their energy bills. This is what Green Doctors did for our service user, Pearl:
“When the Green Doctor came into my home, the first thing he asked me was who my energy provider was. We looked at my bill. We looked at what tariff I was on for the energy company on my behalf. I found it very helpful because it then took off the anxiety because I didn’t know what to say to the energy company. But, because he is coming from a specialist point of view, it was a very straight forward and easy conversation.”
Last year Green Doctor supported over 5000 people in London with energy efficiency measures.
Here, Daniel Brittle explains how Green Doctors can help people in fuel debt:
“Green Doctors help people be more energy efficient and save money in ways they may not have considered. This might include behavioral changes, such as turning down temperature controls or setting up their thermostat to heat their home only when needed. They also help explore other options, like the Warm Homes Discount, the Priority Services Register, or finding the cheapest energy tariff by switching providers.”
These small changes can make a big difference to people’s lives, giving them a sense of security over their energy bills.
“With the likely rise in energy costs coming in July, we’re really encouraging people to act now, not to wait until winter.”
How this is Effecting Green Doctors
Daniel Brittle also highlighted how the tensions in the middle east have been affecting Green Doctors:
“We’ve been very busy over the winter with people concerned about their energy costs. Normally, we start to get a bit quieter in the spring and the summer, but with the current events going on in the Middle East, we’re likely to see people coming to us more with worries about their bills.”
He also stressed that they are expecting a rise in referrals around the time of the energy price cap increasing, especially when people receive those first bills at higher costs.
“We’re here to support people, but we have limited resources. We’re looking to work with, other organisations, local councils, and other charities to make sure that people are supported when they really need it.”
Green Doctors delivered around 2700 home visits in 2025 but as the demand for Green Doctor seems to be ever growing, there are fears that the service won’t be able to keep up.
Contact Us
If you are a charity or organisation that would like to partner with us, please contact us.
Or, if you or someone you know could benefit from free, expert advice on how to stay warm, reduce energy bills, and feel more in control at home, get in touch with Green Doctor today.
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