THE average household in Redditch could spend more than £3,500 per year on their energy bill when the new price cap comes into effect in October.

Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, announced in August that it will increase the energy price cap from October 1.

It means the maximum price a supplier can charge for electricity will rise on average from 28p per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 52p per kWh, while gas will increase from 7p to 15p per kWh.

Including standing charges, it means the average household's energy costs on a variable tariff in the UK will increase by 80 per cent – from £1,971 to £3,549 per year.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy figures show the average household in Redditch used a median amount of around 2,969.6 kWh of electricity and 11,303.79 kWh of gas in 2020.

One kWh would run an average oven for around 30 minutes.

At current prices, it means the average household on a variable tariff in the area would be paying around £1,890 per year to heat and fuel their home.

But when the price cap increases in October, this will soar to approximately £3,510.

Households on a fixed tariff will pay for energy at their current rate until the term comes to an end.

Adam Scorer, chief executive of the charity, National Energy Action, said: "Without bold action to support the most vulnerable and those on the lowest incomes, this will effectively prise their fingers from the cliff edge and push them over the precipice.”

A government spokesperson said direct financial aid, targeted at the most vulnerable, will "continue to reach people's pockets in the weeks and months ahead", and that preparations have been made so that this support can be implemented as quickly as possible when the new Prime Minister is in place.