Total energy debt tops £5 billion for the first time

25 September 2026

Ofgem’s latest social obligations (debt and arrears) reporting has revealed that total domestic customer debt and arrears, across a period of more than 91 days, now tops £5 billion amongst households in Britain. This marks an increase on Q1 2026 of 4.8%, and an increase of 13% year-on-year.

This comes as StepChange data further illustrates the pressures on their client base and the wider population:

• Three in ten (29%) UK adults said when polled that they are worried about their ability to pay their energy bills over the next six months.
• Average energy arrears for a StepChange client year-to-date stand at £2,676.

StepChange is calling on the Government to act to alleviate energy bill pressures, namely with:

• Implementation of Ofgem’s debt relief scheme worth £500m.
• Transforming the Warm Home Discount into a national, tiered social tariff to support the most vulnerable.

Peter Tutton, Director of Policy, Research, and Public Affairs at StepChange, said:

“As total energy debt tops £5 billion total, we are seeing yet more evidence of sustained pressure on household budgets and an inability to pay regular costs. With further price rises expected in the new year, things stand sadly only to worsen.

“What is most alarming is the 5% increase in total arrears during a period where people tend to use less energy in the warmer spring and early summer months. With winter still to come and the price cap set to rise, financial pressures are highly likely to intensify in the coming months.”

Notes to Editors

• Ofgem’s data on debt and arrears can be found here
• All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,142 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 10th July 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
• StepChange client data is based on 31,062 clients in energy arrears for the period January-August 2026.