Energy bills are forecast to rise sharply from January, with gas prices pushing the cost of heating through the peak winter months. Nils Pratley argues that ministers have had warning of the risk but are still failing to prepare targeted support for people least able to afford the increase.

The current price cap is £1,723 a year for an average dual-fuel household; forecasts for the first quarter of 2027 range from £1,999 to £2,076, around an 18% rise in unit rates. The £150 Warm Home Discount reached 5.5 million low-income households last year, but the article says it misses some people with high energy needs. It calls for a flexible social tariff, while noting that designing one would require linking income, health and energy-use data; meanwhile, energy-system consumer debts are projected to reach £7bn by year’s end.