From July 1, households in England, Wales, and Scotland on a standard variable tariff paying via Direct Debit will face an average of 26.11p per kilowatt hour (kWh) for electricity, up from the current April cap of 24.67p per kWh. This increase, announced by Ofgem, represents a 13% rise for the period from July 1 to September 30, 2026.
Impact on Ironing Costs
According to calculations by The Express, ironing could cost some households around £20 over 12 months under the new cap. Ofgem attributed the increase to higher wholesale gas prices resulting from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, following US and Israel strikes on Iran in late February.
While irons are not major electricity consumers, regular use adds up. Citizens Advice's energy cost calculator provides estimates based on usage. For a household ironing once a week for an hour, the cost under the current cap is about 37p per week, £1.61 per month, or £19.32 annually. Under the July cap, this rises to 39p per week, £1.70 per month, or approximately £20.40 over 12 months.
Additional Factors
The daily standing charge for electricity will decrease slightly to 57.19p per day from July 1. The cap is reviewed every three months and does not remain fixed for a full year. Households can protect themselves by switching to fixed-rate deals to shield from global shocks.
