Freezing Temperatures, Higher Bills: How the UK Is Bracing for Winter in 2025

20 November 2025

Paul Francis

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Winter is approaching, and although early forecasts suggest that temperatures may be average or even slightly milder than usual, UK households are still preparing for a difficult season. Rising energy bills, reduced gas production and warnings of pressure on the national grid mean that millions of people could face another expensive winter. For many families, this is becoming an unwelcome annual pattern rather than a temporary crisis.

Snow-covered branches against a cloudy sky backdrop, creating a serene winter scene with intricate patterns of snow and twigs.

This article explains what the weather outlook suggests, how energy bills are changing, and why winter 2025 may still be challenging for households across the country.

What the Forecast Says About Winter 2025

The Met Office indicates that the UK is likely to experience conditions that range from average to slightly milder over the coming months. A milder outlook does not remove risk, because the UK still frequently experiences cold snaps, early morning frosts and periods of high demand for heating. Even small drops in temperature can increase gas and electricity usage, especially in older homes that do not retain heat efficiently.

At the same time, the National Energy System Operator reports that the operational margin for electricity supply is the strongest since 2019. This is positive news, but the organisation still warns of potential high demand days where supply will need careful management. Cold and clear January mornings, for example, continue to place enormous pressure on the grid.

Gas supply is also a concern. National Gas has stated that UK domestic gas production will fall by around six percent compared with the previous winter. This means the UK will rely more heavily on imported liquefied natural gas, which is sensitive to global competition and international price movements.

Energy Bills and What Households Can Expect

Energy bills remain significantly higher than they were before the crisis began in 2021. As of October 2025, the Ofgem price cap for a typical dual fuel household paying by direct debit sits at roughly one thousand seven hundred and fifty five pounds per year. This represents a slight increase from the previous quarter and there are signs that bills may rise further during the colder months due to increased demand and network charges.

Consumer groups warn that low income households face the harshest conditions. According to the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, this will be the fifth winter in a row where energy bills remain historically high. They estimate that bills are roughly two thirds higher than they were before the pandemic. Many households are already struggling, and any increase in usage due to colder weather will deepen the financial strain.

Why Risk Remains High Even With Mild Weather Predictions

There are several structural reasons why winter 2025 still carries risk for consumers:

The UK remains heavily dependent on natural gas for heating and electricity generation.
Domestic gas production is shrinking, which increases reliance on global imports and international markets.
Standing charges and network fees continue to rise, affecting bills regardless of usage.
Many homes have poor insulation or outdated heating systems that waste energy.
Local cold spells, even during a generally mild winter, can lead to rapid rises in demand.

These factors mean the cost of heating a home is still higher than many households can comfortably manage.

How Households and Organisations Are Preparing

The government has expanded the Warm Home Discount scheme, offering a one hundred and fifty pound bill credit to eligible low income households. Energy companies and charities are also encouraging residents to take steps that can reduce consumption, such as using heating controls more effectively, improving insulation where possible and shifting usage away from peak periods.

Local authorities are preparing for vulnerable residents who may struggle to heat their homes. Many councils are reviewing emergency plans, including the availability of warm spaces and community support hubs. Housing associations are checking boilers, insulation and heating systems before temperatures fall.

Energy networks are preparing for high demand periods, carrying out inspections, reinforcing infrastructure and running exercises to ensure resilience.

What to Watch for as Winter Progresses

Several questions remain important in the weeks ahead:

Will there be a severe cold spell that significantly raises demand?
How will global gas markets affect the cost of imports and wholesale prices?
Will the Ofgem cap increase again in early 2026?
Are fuel poverty rates likely to rise further?
Will government support be increased if bills surge unexpectedly?

These factors will determine whether households experience manageable conditions or another winter crisis.

The UK may avoid a severe freeze this year, but the risk to household budgets remains very real. Rising infrastructure costs, a reliance on gas imports and continued pressure on energy systems mean that many people will face another financially challenging winter. A combination of preparation, targeted support and long term improvements to insulation and energy efficiency will be essential if the UK is to break this cycle in future years.

Current Most Read

What Happens to Your Data When You Die?

Paul Francis
Jul 22
4 min read

We spend years building our online lives. But what happens to all that data when we die?

From photo albums stored in the cloud to emails, passwords and social media profiles, our digital presence often continues long after we’ve gone. While most of us make plans for our possessions and property, few consider what should happen to our online accounts.

And yet, in an age where identity is as much virtual as it is physical, the question is becoming harder to ignore.

Digital woman with glowing blue lines on her face, set against a blurred background. The mood is futuristic and serene.

A digital footprint that doesn't fade

According to a 2023 report by NordPass, the average internet user now has over 100 online accounts. These include everything from banking apps and cloud storage to dating profiles, shopping sites, and social media platforms.

Many of these accounts hold personal information, private conversations, or payment details. In some cases, they contain cherished memories, such as photos, voice notes or videos. But once someone dies, accessing these accounts can be far from straightforward.

In many cases, family members find themselves locked out, unsure of what data is stored, how to retrieve it, or whether they are even legally allowed to.

What the big platforms say

Some tech companies have introduced tools to help users manage their digital legacy.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, allows users to nominate a "legacy contact". This is someone who can look after a memorialised profile, add tribute posts and update the cover photo. However, they cannot log in as the user or read private messages. If no legacy contact is set, family members can request the account be deleted or turned into a memorial page, but they will need to provide proof of death.

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Google offers an “Inactive Account Manager”, which lets users choose what happens if they stop using their account for a set period of time. They can select up to ten trusted contacts who will be notified, and decide whether their emails, documents and photos are shared or deleted.

Apple, meanwhile, introduced a Digital Legacy feature in iOS 15.2, which allows people to designate up to five individuals who can access their iCloud data after death. However, they will still need a copy of the death certificate and an access key to unlock the account.

Not all platforms offer such options. For smaller services, or accounts that are not covered by legacy tools, the process can be time-consuming and inconsistent.

What the law says

In the UK, digital assets are not yet clearly defined in law. According to the Law Society, there is no legal requirement to include digital possessions in a will, but doing so is strongly advised.

Some items, such as cryptocurrency wallets or digital art, are considered property and can be passed on. Others, like email accounts or social media profiles, are often treated as licences that expire on death. This can make it harder for families to retrieve content or gain access.

Different companies also have different terms of service. In some cases, accounts are considered non-transferable. In others, they can be managed by an executor if proper documentation is provided.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) recommends that people plan ahead and consider how their personal data will be handled in the event of death. But there is currently no single UK law that governs digital inheritance, and calls for reform are growing.

Enter the digital will

To avoid confusion, experts are increasingly advising people to create a digital will. This can be a standalone document or part of a traditional will, and should include a list of key accounts, where to find them, and who should have access.

Password managers like LastPass and 1Password offer emergency access features that allow trusted contacts to retrieve information if needed. It is also possible to store login details securely with a solicitor or notary.

“Leaving behind an up-to-date digital will can save loved ones a great deal of stress,” says Nicola Plant, a private client solicitor at Thomson Snell & Passmore. “It ensures that your wishes are clear and your accounts are dealt with appropriately.”

Digital wills are especially important for business owners, influencers, and people who hold assets online. However, they are becoming more common among the general public, particularly among those who store family photos, creative work or important correspondence in the cloud.

Ethical dilemmas

Beyond the legal and practical challenges, there are also ethical questions to consider.

Should companies be allowed to use someone’s data for marketing purposes after they die? Should AI chatbots be trained on personal messages or voice recordings? And who gets the final say over how someone is remembered online?

A wooden gavel on a table beside a smartphone symbolizes technology and law. The setting is simple, with a focus on the objects.

In 2020, Microsoft filed a patent for technology that could create a chatbot based on a person’s digital history. Although it was never released, it sparked debate over whether we are heading towards digital reincarnation.

For some, the idea of a digital memorial is comforting. For others, it raises concerns about consent, privacy and the risk of exploitation.

What you can do now

Preparing for your digital afterlife does not have to be complicated. Experts recommend the following steps:

Keep a secure list of your major accounts and passwords, and store it safely.
Use built-in legacy features on platforms like Facebook, Google and Apple.
Name a digital executor in your will, if possible.
Speak to your family or solicitor about your wishes.

It might not be a conversation many of us are keen to have, but as our lives become increasingly digital, planning ahead is one way to make life easier for those we leave behind.

After all, your digital footprint could become part of your legacy.

Whether you want to be remembered through a carefully managed memorial page or prefer to vanish into the data void, the decision is best made while you’re still around to make it.