The UK energy secretary is flirting with a bad idea for bills – the ‘rising block tariff’
News Source
•Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:43:15 GMT
📰 What Happened
The UK energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, is looking at a new way to charge for energy. It is called a rising block tariff. Households would get a cheap amount of gas and electricity for basic needs.
After that first block, extra units would cost more per unit. Supporters say it would cut bills for people who use less energy. Fahnbulleh has asked officials to study the idea. Bills are expected to rise by about 400 pounds a year in January.
🔍 The Backstory
UK energy bills have stayed high since the gas price crisis. The government plans about 1bn pounds of extra help for poorer homes this winter. Fahnbulleh says getting bills down is her main goal.
Two charities back the block tariff idea, saying it would help lower-income homes most. But Citizens Advice disagrees. It says using less energy does not always mean earning less money.
🎯 Why It Matters
Heating is a basic need, and high bills hurt poorer families most. The choice of system decides who pays less and who pays more.
The UK energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, is looking at a new way to charge for energy. It is called a rising block tariff. Households would get a cheap amount of gas and electricity for basic needs.
After that first block, extra units would cost more per unit. Supporters say it would cut bills for people who use less energy. Fahnbulleh has asked officials to study the idea. Bills are expected to rise by about 400 pounds a year in January.
UK energy bills have stayed high since the gas price crisis. The government plans about 1bn pounds of extra help for poorer homes this winter. Fahnbulleh says getting bills down is her main goal.
Two charities back the block tariff idea, saying it would help lower-income homes most. But Citizens Advice disagrees. It says using less energy does not always mean earning less money.
Heating is a basic need, and high bills hurt poorer families most. The choice of system decides who pays less and who pays more.