LONDON — Millions of British households faced higher energy bills on Friday as Ofgem's price cap rose, with anti-poverty charities warning that growing numbers of families would struggle to heat their homes adequately.

The cap sets the maximum that suppliers in England, Wales and Scotland can charge per unit of gas and electricity for households on standard variable tariffs. National Energy Action said the latest rise would push more families into fuel poverty, defined as inability to afford adequate warmth without hardship.

Wholesale gas prices remained volatile as the increase took effect. Consumer groups including Citizens Advice have warned that energy debt has reached record levels, with arrears and disconnections rising sharply over the past year.

Opposition politicians and campaigners pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government to expand targeted support ahead of winter, including an extension of the warm home discount. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said ministers were committed to protecting vulnerable customers and accelerating the shift to cheaper, home-grown clean power.

Analysts at Cornwall Insight, which produces closely watched forecasts of the cap, predict prices will remain well above pre-2021 levels into next year. Charities urged households struggling to pay to contact their suppliers before falling into arrears.