Gas and electricity prices during the 'energy crisis' and beyond

Article Summary
- Key point
- UK consumer gas and electricity prices rose much faster than the EU average in 2022. Price falls in the UK during 2023 also occurred later than in other European countries.
- Why it matters
- May add upward pressure to household energy bills.
- Expected impact
- Likely negative impact — Signals tightening or strain in the UK energy market.
UK consumer gas and electricity prices rose much faster than the EU average in 2022. Price falls in the UK during 2023 also occurred later than in other European countries.
What This Means
This highlights a concerning trend for UK bill-payers, suggesting our market structure or regulatory responses may be less effective at shielding consumers from volatility. We've seen a persistent lag in price reductions compared to our European neighbours, which means households are paying more for longer. This disparity warrants a deeper look into our energy market's resilience and how it compares to EU models.
- Consumers: May add upward pressure to household energy bills.
- Businesses: Could raise energy costs or operational risk for businesses.
- Energy market: Signals tightening or strain in the UK energy market.
From The Source
UK Parliament · 31 May 2026
This summary and analysis is based on reporting from UK Parliament. Read the full original article on their website.
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