Energy price cap consultations

Article Summary
- Key point
- Ofgem is consulting on extending the ban on acquisition-only tariffs until March 2027. This proposal aims to prevent suppliers from offering cheaper deals to new customers while existing ones pay more.
- Why it matters
- No immediate change to household bills, but worth watching.
- Expected impact
- Mixed / neutral impact — A structural or regulatory development to monitor.
Ofgem is consulting on extending the ban on acquisition-only tariffs until March 2027. This proposal aims to prevent suppliers from offering cheaper deals to new customers while existing ones pay more.
What This Means
This consultation signals Ofgem's continued focus on market fairness. While the ban aims to protect existing customers from loyalty penalties, it also limits competition, potentially preventing all consumers from accessing the very cheapest deals. We believe this extension, if implemented, will maintain the current market structure where switching incentives are minimal. Consumers should continue to monitor their tariffs and engage with their suppliers, even without the lure of significant new customer discounts.
- Consumers: No immediate change to household bills, but worth watching.
- Businesses: Limited direct cost impact for businesses for now.
- Energy market: A structural or regulatory development to monitor.
From The Source
Ofgem · 5 August 2026
This summary and analysis is based on reporting from Ofgem. Read the full original article on their website.
Read on OfgemRelated Guides
Go deeper on the topics in this story.
Are Your Energy Bills Too High?
Six reasons UK bills run high — and how to fix each one.
Read Guide GuideHow to Read Your Energy Bill
Decode every line on your gas or electricity bill.
Read Guide GuideCan I Challenge an Estimated Energy Bill?
How to dispute an estimated bill and get billed on real readings.
Read Guide GuideHow Suppliers Calculate Monthly Payments
Why your direct debit is what it is — and how to get it corrected.
Read GuideRelated Calculators
Put the numbers to work for your own home.
UK Energy Bill Calculator
Estimate your full annual bill from kWh usage, unit rate and standing charge.
Launch Calculator CalculatorUK Standing Charge Calculator
Work out your annual standing charge and compare supplier figures.
Launch Calculator CalculatorShould I Switch Energy Supplier?
Decision framework: is switching worth it right now?
Launch CalculatorJoin the Monday UK Energy Savings Briefing
Receive weekly updates on energy prices, supplier changes, standing charges, power cuts and major UK energy developments.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Compare Related Suppliers
How the suppliers in this story score on our intelligence dashboard.
British Gas
StableThe UK's largest supplier remains financially rock-solid but service and complaint metrics continue to lag the market, with sma…
Compare SupplierEDF Energy
StableEDF is a steady, financially robust supplier with mid-table service and fair fixed-tariff renewals.
Compare SupplierOctopus Energy
StableOctopus continues to lead the UK market on customer service and complaint handling, backed by genuinely competitive smart tarif…
Compare SupplierSo Energy
StableBacked by ESB, So Energy combines competitive fixed tariffs with consistently strong service scores.
Compare Supplier