Ofgem has confirmed that the energy price cap in the UK will rise to at least £2,800 in October, pushing household bills up to £233 a month.
The regulator revealed the hike in prices this afternoon, as its chief executive, Jonathan Brearley, told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee that Ofgem anticipates the new price cap this October will be “in the region of £2,800”.
Mr Brearly even suggested that “it’s quite possible this [price cap] could go higher”, telling the Committee: “The volatility in the gas market is huge.”
Currently, the energy price cap sits at £1,971 – having increased by over 50% in April.
That means that, within the space of six months, the regulator’s energy price cap in the UK will have risen by £1,512.
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Currently, here in the UK, there are nearly 6.5 million people living in poverty. However, Ofgem is now warning the government that this could well double in October when the price cap goes up again.
The Ofgem Chief Exec has told MPs the price cap will rise c42% in Oct putting typical use to £2,800/yr. I'm glad he's been open about this, I asked last week for them to publish forward guidance.
This is higher than analysts predictions of £2,600 (both bloody awful though)
With UK inflation at the highest it has been in 40 years, many struggling households are also seeing price rises at fuel pumps and in the supermarket.
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Mr Brearly told the committee that costs are currently rising at a “once in a generation” rate “not seen since the 1970s”, and that this issue is something that only the government could address.
National Insurance tax has just been increased by the Chancellor in his spring budget, too, meaning that people are taking home less money as prices soar.
Soaring energy bills are considered to be the biggest inflation driver in the UK right now, and there is increasing pressure on the government to do more to help families and children who are slipping into poverty as a result of the cost of living emergency.
Whilst the government has said it is willing to support people, it is yet to deliver any solutions – such as introducing a Windfall Tax on energy companies or restoring the £20 a week Universal Credit uplift to help the country’s worst off.
Labour has called the price cap news ‘extremely concerning’, adding that it “will cause huge worry for families already facing soaring bills and rising inflation”.
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “How many more alarm bells does the chancellor need to hear before he acts? The government have got to get a grip on this crisis and to protect families and our economy.
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As @ofgem warns that the energy price cap is expected to rise to £2,800 in October, we take a look at what help is available, if you're struggling to pay your bills. https://t.co/48t49gzVFI
“Yet again, Labour calls urgently on the government to bring forward an emergency budget, with a windfall tax on oil and gas producer profits to lower bills for families.”
Boris Johnson’s spokesperson maintained that the government is already offering help which will be ‘phased throughout the year’.
They said: “Some of the support is designed to come in in October, £200 will be discounted from energy bills, the warm home discount will increase to £150 and be expanded to cover three million people, cold weather payments and winter fuel payments will be available again,” the spokesman said.”
Feature image – RawPixel
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Five retired GMP officers arrested following investigation into sexual exploitation of a girl in the 1960s
Emily Sergeant
Five retired police officers have been arrested as part of an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in Manchester in the 1960s.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that the arrests were made after months of detailed enquiries to identify suspects from allegations made by a woman – who was younger than 16 at the time when the offending began.
Some of the offenders are believed to be officers from a dedicated unit that worked to safeguard sex workers in Manchester at the time, according to GMP.
Three of the arrests were made after warrants were executed in Bolton, Bury, and Trafford last month, while the other two suspects were arrested this month.
The suspects – who are each between the ages of 73 and 81 – have been questioned on suspicion of sexual offences and misconduct, and at this time, GMP says they are on conditional bail as police enquiries continue.
We’ve arrested five retired GMP officers as part of an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in Manchester in the 1960s.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 6, 2025
The victim involved is also being continuously supported by specialist officers and partner agencies throughout the investigation.
GMP said in a statement of intent that ‘no matter when abuse has taken place’ and ‘no matter who by’ either, the force is there to listen to and support victims, and take necessary action.
“We commend the woman’s courage for coming forward and supporting this investigation,” commented Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said.
“We do not underestimate how difficult it is for her to relive details of this horrendous abuse decades on from the time it was happening, and I’m sure the public will be as troubled as I am that five former officers are suspected of being involved in the abuse of a woman when she was a vulnerable child and adult who needed their protection.”
Five retired GMP officers have been arrested following an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in the 1960s / Credit: RawPixel
ACC Parker insisted that ‘no abuser is immune from justice’ and ‘time is no barrier’.
She continued: “The GMP of today is absolutely committed to ensuring victims are listened to and supported, regardless of who’s committed these offences and how long ago it occurred.
“Our investigation will go to all necessary lengths to uncover the full facts of these allegations and to ensure any offenders are rightly brought to justice.”
Anyone affected by this case, or who may have any relevant information, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting ‘Op Salvador’.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Deliveroo is set for a multi-billion dollar buyout from a takeaway rival
Danny Jones
UK takeaway service Deliveroo is set for a massive takeover by a fellow delivery business rival, said to be worth several billion.
The British multinational is known nationwide, occupying one of the biggest market shares alongside competitors Just Eat and Uber Eats, but now the takeaway delivery service is set to be swallowed up by an even bigger brand based in the US.
As reported on Tuesday, 6 May, American delivery firm DoorDash – the biggest of its kind in the States – looks set to complete an estimated £2.9 billion buyout, which will see Deliveroo folded into their growing global portfolio.
This massive deal will see the company’s presence in more than 40 countries further consolidated, already serving somewhere in the region of 50 million customers every month.
US meal delivery firm DoorDash will buy British rival Deliveroo for $3.85 billion. The acquisition will help DoorDash grow its market share in Europe and compete against Just Eat and Uber Eats. Read more: https://t.co/x4dSgRp8Flpic.twitter.com/oeE44CjMYN
According to the likes of Reuters, Bloomberg and BBC, DoorDash is offering 180p per share, which is a 44% increase on Deliveroo’s share price from the point when initial takeover talks were made public in April 2025.
Founded by chief executive Will Shu back in 2013, Deliveroo is now considered one of the big three in the food delivery industry’s UK scene, but is set to get much bigger under the DoorDash umbrella.
As for DoorDash, CEO and co-founder Tony Xu went on to add: “Coming together with teams that have similar visions and values accelerates our work to achieve that mission. Deliveroo is just such a team and one that I have long admired.
“Like DoorDash, Deliveroo is obsessively focused on their customers – consumers, merchants, and riders. They work day in and day out to improve their consumer value proposition, bring new services to local businesses, and offer flexibility and support to riders.”
Georgina Pellant -
24th May 2022 
