Consumer Scotland has published new findings from its latest Energy Affordability Tracker highlighting ongoing challenges for households in paying their energy bills.
The survey findings come as energy regulator Ofgem announced the energy price cap will rise by 13% a year in July as a result of rising wholesale prices caused by the impact of the Iran war.
The increase will mean a household using a typical amount of gas and
electricity will pay £221 more a year, with an annual bill of £1,862.
The latest wave of Consumer Scotland’s annual Energy Tracker - conducted between January and February this year with around 1,600 adults - shows while prices have fallen from recent peaks, affordability remains a significant concern and levels of household energy debt continue to rise.
Key findings from the report include:
- Energy debt is at a record high with 19% of households reporting energy debt compared to 9% in 2024
- Most debt is less than a year old and does not involve formal repayment plans or recovery action – although 36% of those in debt report being placed on a prepayment meter as a result
- Energy affordability remains a widespread issue, with 38% of households unable to heat their home to a comfortable level and 16% reporting difficulty keeping up with bills
- Challenges are more acute among households facing financial or health pressures, including those receiving means-tested benefits, households where a member has a disability or health condition, low-income households and working‑age households
Chief Executive of Consumer Scotland Sam Ghibaldan said:
“This latest increase announced by Ofgem means households across Scotland will face further pressure on already stretched finances.
“This rise comes at a time when many consumers continue to deal with wider cost of living pressures, including food, housing and other essential costs.
“The findings from our Energy Affordability Tracker underline the scale of the current challenges facing consumers with energy debt at a record high.
“Support for consumers to address affordability and debt challenges is critical in ensuring homes remain heated to safe and comfortable levels.
"We welcome the steps the UK Government has recently taken to make sure more households in Scotland get the Warm Home Discount automatically and we support Ofgem’s plans to introduce a Debt Relief Scheme, but it is clear from our Energy Tracker that more action is required.
“We are developing proposals to present to the UK and Scottish governments setting out how support could be targeted at households facing the greatest affordability challenges through improved use of UK-wide and Scottish data.
“We also support stronger engagement by energy suppliers with consumers who are in debt to establish manageable repayment plans.
“The volatility of fossil fuel costs also underlines why moving to low-carbon technologies is a consumer protection priority."
Background
Insights from the 2026 Energy Tracker
Consumer Scotland’s Energy Affordability Tracker is an annual online survey of some 1,600 energy consumers in Scotland aged sixteen and over designed to understand energy affordability and experiences of debt.
Consumers struggling with their energy bills should contact Advice Direct Scotland which provides free advice on the financial support available from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Their advice line is 0808 196 8660.
Consumer Scotland is the statutory consumer advice and advocacy body for Scotland.