{
  "id": 3499439,
  "title": "Octopus boss Greg Jackson calls for ‘urgent reform’ on energy as bills rise",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/octopus-boss-greg-jackson-calls-for-urgent-reform-on-energy-as-bills",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-26T11:37:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/octopus-boss-greg-jackson-calls-for-urgent-reform-to-energy-bills/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Octopus energy provider CEO Greg Jackson has urged the government's Business and Energy Secretary Andy Burnham to push for \"urgent reform\" in the energy market. This is in order to safeguard households from \"volatile\" gas prices, according to Jackson. While the removal of VAT from electricity and some levies have somewhat alleviated the burden this winter, he maintains that electricity bills are still prohibitively high. The UK remains exposed to \"volatile global gas prices\" due to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, which have driven gas prices up more than double since the beginning of the year.\n\nJackson suggests that the government should better utilize wind energy and allow consumers to take advantage of cheaper prices when green energy is abundant. This call for reform follows the announcement by Ofgem that household bills will be increased by 4% to £1,723 per year in October. Experts predict that the price cap will rise by a further 9% to £1,872 from January next year. According to a study by Boston Consulting, households will face a £264 increase in energy bills over the next decade.\n\nJackson has previously advocated for North Sea drilling to bolster the UK's energy security and reduce prices. He warns that the nation is \"on the brink\" of an energy crisis. Burnham was anticipated to decide on whether to permit new North Sea drilling following consultations on the Rosebank and Jackdaw gasfields, which concluded earlier this month. However, the Prime Minister has postponed his decision until the autumn due to concerns about the \"public perception\" of approving new drilling during a summer of record heat, drought, and wildfires.\n\nThe price cap increase has prompted criticism from political opposition figures, with Burnham facing pressure to address his pledge to reduce living costs for working households. Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins described the bills hike as \"outrageous,\" accusing the government of \"broken promises.\" She expressed concern that the rising costs will not only burden households but also affect people at home.",
  "summary": "Octopus boss Greg Jackson has called on Andy Burnham to deliver “urgent reform” to the energy market to protect households from “volatile” gas prices. Jackson, founder of the UK’s biggest household electricity supplier, said: “The government’s decision to take VAT off electricity and remove some of the levies from bills has helped soften the blow [...]",
  "key_points": [
    "Octopus CEO Greg Jackson calls for 'urgent reform' in energy market",
    "Urgent reform needed to protect households from volatile gas prices",
    "Government urged to better utilize wind energy and allow cheaper green energy prices"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}