Combination of gas price rises and new energy policy to push up utilities bills 

It is likely that home energy bills will be rising in the next year thanks to a combination of changing government energy policies and a global rise in wholesale gas prices. From 1 July of this year the ‘variable’ rates that many people pay have been raised by 25 percent. Another contributing factor is the end of lower night time prices for people that do not yet have a smart metre in their homes. 

This, combined with higher wholesale gas prices around the world and a drop in production will mean that energy bills may rise dramatically this winter. The Dutch government has been asked by several organisations to consider offering relief for those affected, and this is still being debated.