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For UK households, the main money changes taking effect this October are a higher energy price cap for eligible default tariffs and new duties on vaping liquids and tobacco. Vaping products also face a related packaging-stamp requirement. There is a 5 October Self Assessment registration date, but it is an annual deadline—not a new tax rule.
What changes with my energy bill in October?
From 1 October, Ofgem’s headline price cap for October to December 2026 is £1,723 a year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit, compared with £1,663 for the previous quarter, according to the figures reported by MoneyWeek and recorded in the Bank of England’s September minutes. The update affects eligible standard variable tariffs; it does not change the unit rates on a fixed-rate tariff.
The £1,723 figure is an illustrative annual equivalent, not a limit on what any household can be charged in total. The cap sets eligible default-tariff unit rates and standing charges; your actual bill depends on how much energy you use.
Whether to compare tariffs
If you are on a default tariff, you can compare it with available fixed and variable offers using your own consumption and payment details. Check estimated annual cost, unit rates and standing charges, payment method, contract length, exit fees and whether the price is fixed. A switch is not guaranteed to save money: the result depends on your usage and the offers available to you.
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Does the new vaping tax affect me?
Vaping Products Duty took effect on 1 October 2026. The official Budget tax overview sets the rate at £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, including nicotine-free liquids. This is a duty on products manufactured in or imported into the UK, not a separate charge billed directly to households.
The £2.20 rate is calculated per 10ml of liquid, not per device or item. Retail prices may respond, but the duty rate does not establish that a particular product’s price will rise by £2.20; product size and sellers’ pricing decisions matter.
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Vaping duty stamps are a packaging requirement
From 1 October, vaping products manufactured or imported into the UK must have a duty stamp affixed to their final retail packaging. This is a compliance requirement accompanying the new duty, not another tax or an additional £2.20 charge.
How is tobacco duty changing?
Tobacco duty also rose from 1 October 2026. The Budget tax overview describes two parts to the increase:
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Part of the change | Amount or method |
|---|---|
| One-off increase equivalent to the Vaping Products Duty rate | £2.20 per 100 cigarettes and £2.20 per 50g of other tobacco products |
| Annual tobacco duty escalator | Two percentage points above forecast RPI inflation |
These are duty changes, not a forecast of the final shelf price. The cited Budget summary does not establish final prices or every product’s final duty rate, and the tax increase does not prove that a pack price will rise by a particular amount.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the 5 October Self Assessment date?
MoneyWeek’s 2026 tax calendar lists 5 October as the date to tell HMRC if you need to register for Self Assessment for the previous tax year. This is an annual registration deadline, not a newly introduced October tax change. If you register later, HMRC may give you a different filing deadline. Check HMRC’s instructions for your circumstances and the relevant tax year.
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