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SPF RESPONSE TO OFGEM ANNOUNCING AN INCREASE OF 4% ON THE ENERGY PRICE CAP ON 1ST OCTOBER 2026.
Energy prices are set to rise again in October.
Ofgem, announcing an increase of 4% on the energy price cap from 1st October, has attributed this to higher wholesale gas prices due to the Iran war. A household using a typical amount of gas and electricity will pay £60 a year more.
Though the government claims its cut to VAT on electricity bills will save households £45, this still means that those most vulnerable, who already face proportionately higher bills and unfair standing charges, will as usual bear the brunt at a time, particularly in Scotland, when the need to keep warm is a priority for older people.
At the same time Ofgem is consulting on relaxing the regulations for new suppliers to enter the field in the interests of so-called competition. This is a policy doomed to failure, based on unproven, and indeed clearly counter-productive claims about the free market where consumers have in fact no real choice. Since 2016, no fewer than 51 energy supply companies have gone bust affecting more than 6 million customers (https://www.businessenergyuk.com/failed-energy-companies/). Vulnerable consumers are sometimes persuaded by attractive opening offers to change to new entrant suppliers, only to face additional stress and worry when these all too often collapse. The SPF urges Ofgem to address the needs of vulnerable energy users rather than bolstering the profits of the already cash rich energy giants.
SCOTTISH PENSIONERS’ FORUM EXPRESSES ‘GRAVE CONCERN’ AS RARE SUMMER ENERGY PRICE CAP JUMP THREATENS TO DEEPEN PENSIONER POVERTY CRISIS
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum (SPF) has reacted with profound alarm to Ofgem’s announcement of a 13% increase to the energy price gap, warning that the move will have devastating consequences for older people already trapped in fuel poverty.
Effective from July 1st, 2026, the cap will see average annual dual fuel bills surge by £221, rising from £1641 to £1862. This steep summer increase hits at a time when households traditionally expect to build up credit ahead of the colder months, compounding a broader cost of living crisis that continues to push vulnerable groups below the poverty line.
Scottish Credit Unions and pensioners betrayed as funeral plans axed
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland has said thousands of older Scots have been blindsided by the abrupt collapse of funeral insurance policies sold through Scottish credit unions. The Family Protection Plan (FPP), underwritten by Maiden Life Försäkrings and brokered by C Mutual, is being pulled by the end of November—leaving long-standing policyholders with nothing to show for years of payments.
This shock decision has triggered widespread fury. Credit unions, pensioners’ organisations, and MSPs are demanding answers, calling the move “immoral,” “callous,” and “a betrayal of trust.” Many affected are elderly, on low incomes, and now face being uninsurable due to age or health—stripped of the dignity and security they were promised.
David Edwards, Chair of the Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, condemned this decision: “Older people have paid in thousands over the years. Now they’re being told they’ll get nothing. It’s disgraceful. The rug has been pulled from under them. Someone must be held accountable.”
Increase in targeted scams on winter fuel payment slammed
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, has today issued an urgent warning following an increased surge in fraudulent text and email scams linked to the Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland.
Scammers are impersonating official bodies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, sending unsolicited texts and emails warning recipients they must apply or risk losing their payment; these messages often feature urgent deadlines and links to fraudulent websites.
Anger at price cap increase
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning group for older people in Scotland, has today hit back at the need for a further price cap, which will see many more older people and vulnerable families plunged into greater hardship this winter
David Edwards, SPF Chair fumed:
‘Early predictions had indicated that the price cap was due to increase by 1% but today’s announcement of 2% was somewhat unexpected.
In the grand scheme of things, it may not look like much but for the most vulnerable people, any increase on energy costs can be the difference between eating and heating this winter.
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