If you’ve searched when will energy prices go down Martin Lewis, you’re not alone. With the Ofgem price cap changing throughout the year and forecasts shifting with wholesale markets, it’s easy to feel unsure about what happens next and whether you should take action now.
This guide separates what’s confirmed from what’s predicted, explains what Martin Lewis typically emphasises when talking about energy bills, and sets out practical steps you can take today, without trying to “perfectly time” the market.
It also covers the widely discussed £150-from-April policy change and what it could mean in real terms.
When will energy prices go down Martin Lewis?
The honest answer is, prices can go down, but they move in chunks, because most households are on tariffs linked to the Ofgem price cap, which updates quarterly (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct).
Right now, the cap for 1 January to 31 March 2026 is £1,758/year for a “typical household” paying by Direct Debit (that “typical” figure is based on a standard usage profile, not a cap on your bill).
Looking ahead, MoneySavingExpert’s rolling forecast has April 2026 as the next likely meaningful drop in the cap level (though it labels this as “crystal-ball gazing”, because forecasts can change fast).
So what does Martin Lewis’ approach boil down to?
Martin Lewis/MoneySavingExpert’s guidance is generally less about “when will prices drop?” and more about whether a fix is meaningfully cheaper than the price cap (now and over the next year), and whether you value certainty.
You’ll also see Martin focusing heavily on the standing charge problem, and on whether suppliers will actually pass on policy-driven savings to people on fixed deals.
When does the Ofgem price cap change, and when is it announced?
| Price cap period (effective dates) | Ofgem announcement date (for that period) | What you’ll notice in headlines |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan – 31 Mar | Late Nov / early Dec (varies) | Bills rise/fall from January |
| 1 Apr – 30 Jun | 25 Feb | Spring cap change |
| 1 Jul – 30 Sep | 27 May | Summer cap change |
| 1 Oct – 31 Dec | 26 Aug | Autumn cap change |
Ofgem’s own “price cap level dates” page is the cleanest place to track announcement timings.
Is the price cap a cap on your bill?
No, it caps the unit rates (p/kWh) and standing charges, not your total bill. So if you use more energy, you pay more; if you use less, you pay less.
When will energy prices go down Martin Lewis? What people usually mean?
Most people really mean one of these:
- When will the price cap drop? (unit rates/standing charges)
- When will my direct debit drop? (depends on usage + debt/credit balance)
- When will fixes get cheaper? (depends on supplier pricing and competition)
Here’s the key: even if wholesale prices ease, bills can stay “sticky” because network costs and policy costs still sit inside what you pay. Ofgem has also flagged big long-term investment in networks, and major upgrades can feed through into bills over time.
What’s actually confirmed right now and what’s forecast?
Confirmed: Jan–Mar 2026 cap level
Ofgem confirmed the £1,758/year typical dual-fuel Direct Debit figure for 1 Jan–31 Mar 2026 (a very small change versus the prior quarter).
Forecast: April 2026 may be lower
MoneySavingExpert’s prediction page currently points to a drop in April 2026, while clearly labelling it as a forecast rather than a fact.
Confirmed policy: “Average £150 off” from April 2026
The UK government announced an average £150 reduction in household energy bills from April 2026, tied to changes that move/remove certain costs from bills.
A very important real-world caveat and a very “Martin Lewis” one: whether fixed-tariff customers automatically benefit can depend on the supplier, so it’s worth checking your supplier’s commitments rather than assuming.
Should you fix your energy tariff now or wait?
This is the part most people care about. MoneySavingExpert’s “Should I fix?” guide is built around a simple idea: compare any fix against the price cap and the best variable options, and only lock in if it’s a good enough deal for long enough.
A simple fixing checklist you can use today
Use this as a practical decision tool (not a promise that you’ll “beat” the market):
- If the best fix you can get is not materially cheaper than the cap, you’re mainly paying for certainty.
- If a fix is meaningfully below the cap (and you’re happy with the exit fees/term), fixing can make sense, especially if you’d struggle with a surprise rise.
- If you expect to move home soon, or you hate exit fees, staying on a price-capped tariff (or a cheaper variable below the cap) can be safer.
(That’s essentially the “don’t try to perfectly time it” philosophy you’ll see repeatedly in Martin Lewis/MSE energy updates.)
Fixed vs variable vs below-cap variable vs time-of-use
| Option | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Price-capped variable (SVT) | People who want flexibility | Can rise/fall each quarter |
| Fixed tariff | People who want bill certainty | Exit fees may not automatically reflect policy changes |
| Cheaper variable (below cap) | People who want savings without a fix | Rates can still change; read the terms carefully |
| Time-of-use (smart meter) | Households that can shift usage off-peak | Can be expensive if you can’t shift usage |
Here’s what you can do next: Pull up one comparison, and check whether you’re above cap, at cap, or below cap right now, then decide if certainty is worth paying for.
Why are standing charges such a big deal, and could they fall?
Standing charges are the daily fees you pay regardless of usage, and they’re a major source of frustration, especially for low-usage households.
Ofgem’s lower standing charge tariff plan
Ofgem has consulted on requiring suppliers to offer a lower standing charge tariff option (often with higher unit rates as the trade-off). The aim is to give people more choice and control.
If implemented as described by Ofgem, suppliers would offer these options by the end of January 2026.
Will lower standing charge tariffs save you money?
It depends mostly on usage:
| Household type | Likely preference | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Low usage (small flat, often away) | Lower standing charge option may help | Standing charge bites hardest |
| Typical usage | Compare carefully | Higher unit rates can offset savings |
| High usage (big home / electric heating) | Often better unit rates matter more | Unit rates dominate your bill |
What can you do right now to cut energy bills without waiting for prices to fall?
Let’s make this immediately useful. Here are quick wins that don’t require you to become an energy nerd:
- Submit meter readings (if you don’t have a smart meter) so estimates don’t creep up
- Check if your Direct Debit is building credit or debt (and ask for it to be adjusted)
- Reduce flow temperature (if you have a combi boiler) only if you know how / your manual allows it
- Tackle draughts (letterbox, doors, window seals) before you touch the thermostat
- Time high-load appliances (washing machine/dishwasher) if you’re on a time-of-use tariff
- If you’re struggling, contact your supplier early and ask about hardship support/options
Here’s what you can do next: set a reminder for the next Ofgem announcement date and do a 10-minute tariff check then.
How people talk about this online
Energy price cap – Martin Lewis advice flawed?
byu/CapitanGringo inOctopusEnergy
Ofgem energy price cap forecast to FALL 6.1% next year with bills to DROP by £150, Martin Lewis confirms
byu/AnonymousTimewaster inGoodNewsUK
Conclusion
Energy prices can go down, but for most UK households, the meaningful moments are the quarterly cap updates and policy changes (like the announced average £150 reduction from April 2026).
Here’s your simple plan:
- Check whether you’re on a price-capped tariff, a fix, or a below-cap variable deal
- Compare any fix against the cap (and the best variable alternatives)
- Set reminders for the next Ofgem announcement dates and review them
If you want, tell me your supplier + whether you’re fixed or variable (no account details), and I’ll suggest the most sensible “next check” for your situation.
FAQ
When will UK energy prices go down again?
The next possible step-change is typically at a quarterly cap update (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct). Forecasts currently point to April 2026 as a likely drop, but forecasts can shift.
When is the next Ofgem price cap announcement?
Ofgem lists announcement dates (e.g., 25 Feb 2026 for the Apr–Jun 2026 cap).
Should I fix my tariff now or wait until April 2026?
If a fix is genuinely competitive versus the cap and you value certainty, it can be reasonable; otherwise, staying flexible (or picking a cheaper variable below the cap) may be smarter. This mirrors the consumer-first approach in Martin Lewis/MSE guidance.
Why are standing charges so high?
Standing charges reflect a bundle of costs (including network costs and other charges) and have been widely criticised for hitting low users hardest. Ofgem is pushing options like lower standing charge tariffs to give consumers more choice.
Author expertise note
This guide is written from a consumer-finance and bills-practicality lens, using primary regulator information (Ofgem) plus Martin Lewis/MoneySavingExpert guidance and major UK reporting on policy changes, so you can make a decision without relying on vibes or viral headlines.
