Energy price cap rates by region: unit rates and standing charges (October–December 2026)

Written by: EnergySwitch editorial team · Last reviewed: 23 October 2026

Direct answer: From 1 October to 31 December 2026, the Ofgem price cap for Direct Debit customers averages 26.32p/kWh for electricity with a 54.83p daily standing charge, and 7.97p/kWh for gas with a 29.68p daily standing charge (GB averages). Rates differ by region. The electricity standing charge ranges from 42.92p a day in London to 67.66p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Electricity prices include no VAT this period (0% from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027); gas includes 5% VAT. All figures below are Ofgem’s, checked on 23 October 2026.

This page is updated every quarter at the same address. Next update: after Ofgem’s announcement for January to March 2027, due by 25 November 2026. For background on the cap, see our energy price cap hub.

Jump to your region

Not sure which region you’re in? Ofgem’s rates page has a postcode finder.

• North Western England
• North Eastern England
• Yorkshire
• Northern Scotland
• Southern England
• Southern Scotland
• Merseyside and Northern Wales
• London
• South Eastern England
• Eastern England
• East Midlands
• West Midlands
• South Western England
• Southern Wales

GB averages by payment method

Electricity (single rate) by region

Direct Debit

Standard credit

Prepayment

Gas by region

Gas prices include 5% VAT.

Direct Debit

Standard credit

Prepayment

Economy 7 and other multi-rate meters

Ofgem publishes one combined unit rate for multi-rate electricity (such as Economy 7), not separate day and night rates. Ofgem says that on these tariffs “you will pay one unit rate during peak hours and a different unit rate during off-peak hours. Together, they cannot be more than the price cap.” For its typical figures Ofgem assumes 3,400 kWh a year with a 58% day / 42% night split. On that basis the typical Economy 7 bill on Direct Debit is £1,046 a year (GB average). See Economy 7 explained.

Regions ranked by electricity standing charge

Direct Debit, single-rate electricity, lowest to highest. Standing charges are the same for prepayment and Direct Debit. The “Yearly standing charge” column is our arithmetic (pence a day × 365).

Gas standing charges vary much less: from 29.16p (Southern England) to 30.20p (London) on Direct Debit. For why electricity standing charges fell in October and gas ones rose, see our standing charges guide.

Typical annual cost by region

Ofgem’s levels for a typical dual-fuel home (2,500 kWh electricity, 9,500 kWh gas), if October to December rates applied for a year. Ofgem publishes regional levels excluding VAT. We added 5% VAT to gas, as Ofgem does for its GB average; electricity has no VAT this period.

Rates for each region

October to December 2026. Standing charges in pence a day, unit rates in pence per kWh. Electricity has no VAT; gas includes 5% VAT.

North Western England

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,685 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 47.61p → 45.68p a day since July to September. Back to regions

North Eastern England

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,723 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 64.29p → 61.58p a day since July to September. Back to regions

Yorkshire

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,724 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 64.38p → 61.67p a day since July to September. Back to regions

Northern Scotland

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,717 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 57.55p → 55.14p a day since July to September. Back to regions

Southern England

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,719 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 49.70p → 47.81p a day since July to September. Back to regions

Southern Scotland

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,734 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 64.17p → 61.41p a day since July to September. Back to regions

Merseyside and Northern Wales

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,804 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 70.76p → 67.66p a day since July to September. Back to regions

London

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,706 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 44.78p → 42.92p a day since July to September. Back to regions

South Eastern England

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,734 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 54.45p → 52.32p a day since July to September. Back to regions

Eastern England

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,713 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 53.94p → 51.84p a day since July to September. Back to regions

East Midlands

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,672 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 53.60p → 51.45p a day since July to September. Back to regions

West Midlands

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,708 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 59.71p → 57.23p a day since July to September. Back to regions

South Western England

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,746 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 57.89p → 55.58p a day since July to September. Back to regions

Southern Wales

Typical dual fuel on Direct Debit: £1,744 a year (GB average £1,723). Electricity standing charge on Direct Debit 57.84p → 55.41p a day since July to September. Back to regions

How to use these rates

For each fuel: (your annual kWh × unit rate) + (standing charge × 365). Your annual kWh is on your bill or in your supplier app. The cap limits rates, not your total bill. A fixed tariff can cost more or less than the cap; compare for your own usage with the fix vs price cap calculator. Paying by Direct Debit or prepayment rather than standard credit is cheaper in every region; see prepayment vs Direct Debit.

Comparing with July to September? Ofgem says costs can’t be compared directly with previous periods because VAT on electricity was removed from 1 October 2026. Read more in VAT off electricity.

Check whether a fixed deal beats your region’s capped rates: Compare home energy deals

Disclosure: we may earn a commission if you switch through this link. It doesn’t change the price you pay.

Related: compare gas and electricity · how to switch energy supplier · January 2027 forecast tracker

FAQ

What is the average price cap unit rate from October 2026?

For Direct Debit customers, the GB average from 1 October to 31 December 2026 is 26.32p per kWh for electricity with a 54.83p daily standing charge, and 7.97p per kWh for gas with a 29.68p daily standing charge. Electricity prices include no VAT this period; gas prices include 5% VAT.

Which region has the highest electricity standing charge?

Merseyside and Northern Wales: 67.66p a day for single-rate electricity paid by Direct Debit, October to December 2026. London has the lowest at 42.92p a day.

Why are standing charges different in each region?

Ofgem says regional standing charges depend on how many people live in the region, how much energy is used there on average, how much energy suppliers need to buy, and the cost of building and improving the local network.

Are prepayment rates cheaper than Direct Debit?

For October to December 2026, prepayment unit rates are lower than Direct Debit in every region, and the standing charges are the same. Ofgem says prepayment customers could save about £45 a year on average compared with Direct Debit. Standard credit is the most expensive way to pay.

What about Economy 7?

Ofgem publishes a single combined unit rate for multi-rate meters such as Economy 7, not separate day and night rates. Your supplier sets the day and night split, but the combination must stay within the cap. Ofgem’s typical Economy 7 bill on Direct Debit is £1,046 a year at 3,400 kWh.

When will these rates change?

These rates apply from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Ofgem will announce rates for 1 January to 31 March 2027 by 25 November 2026, and we will update this page then.

Sources

• Ofgem, Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (regional tables) (checked 23 October 2026)
• Ofgem, Summary of changes to energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (PDF) (26 August 2026; checked 23 October 2026)
• Ofgem, Annex 9: levelisation allowance methodology and levelised cap levels v1.11 (XLSX) (26 August 2026; checked 23 October 2026)
• Ofgem, Energy price cap (default tariff) levels (checked 23 October 2026)
• Ofgem, Changes to energy price cap between 1 October and 31 December 2026 (26 August 2026; checked 23 October 2026)
• Ofgem, Energy price cap will rise by 4% from October 2026 (press release) (26 August 2026; checked 23 October 2026)
• Ofgem, Review of typical domestic consumption values: decision (PDF) (27 May 2026)

All rates are Ofgem’s, rounded to two decimal places as published. Yearly standing charges and VAT-inclusive regional annual levels are our arithmetic from Ofgem data. This page is general information, not financial advice. EnergySwitch is not Ofgem Confidence Code accredited.