Reform UK’s ‘energy bill raffle’ has been cleared by the Gambling Commission, as reported by The Telegraph. The stunt offered one lucky entrant a year’s worth of free gas and electricity — roughly £1,568 at the current price cap. But for the 26 million households still on standard variable tariffs, the raffle’s legality is a sideshow. The real question is why so many people feel the only way to win on energy is through a lottery.
Why the raffle resonated
Ofgem’s price cap will rise again in October 2025 — the third increase in 18 months. A typical dual-fuel household now pays 24.5p per kWh for electricity and 6.0p for gas. That’s down from the 2022 peak, but still 40% higher than pre-crisis levels. When a political party offers to ‘cancel’ your bill, it taps into a deep well of frustration. The Gambling Commission’s ruling that the raffle did not breach regulations only underscores how little the system offers in the way of direct relief. The catch is that a raffle helps exactly one person. The other 99,999 entrants get nothing but a reminder that their bills are still too high.
What actually cuts bills — and why people don’t claim it
The Great British Insulation Scheme, launched in 2023, has reached fewer than 200,000 homes — a fraction of the 3.8 million households estimated by the Energy Saving Trust to have cavity walls suitable for insulation. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers £7,500 off a heat pump, has been undersubscribed in every region except the South East. Installer capacity is part of the problem: the UK has roughly 3,000 certified heat pump installers, compared with 130,000 gas boiler fitters. But the bigger barrier is complexity. Homeowners must navigate a maze of EPC assessments, installer quotes, and grant applications — each with its own deadline and eligibility criteria. The raffle’s appeal is its simplicity: enter your name, cross your fingers, done.
What this means for your EPC and your wallet
Improving an EPC rating from D to C saves the average semi-detached home about £400 a year, according to government figures. A full retrofit — loft insulation, cavity wall fill, double glazing, and a heat pump — can push that saving above £800. But the upfront cost is typically £15,000 to £25,000 even after grants. The raffle’s £1,568 prize covers one year’s bills. A proper upgrade covers them for a decade. Yet the government’s own data shows that fewer than 1 in 5 eligible households have applied for any energy-efficiency grant since 2022. The gap between what’s available and what’s claimed is a policy failure that no raffle can fix.
Who qualifies — and who doesn’t
Households with an income under £31,000 or receiving means-tested benefits can access free insulation through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme. Owner-occupiers in higher bands can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme or the Great British Insulation Scheme, but only if their property has an EPC rating of D or below. Private renters need landlord permission, which is often withheld. The raffle, by contrast, had no income threshold, no EPC requirement, and no installer visit. That’s its appeal — and its indictment. A system that makes a raffle look like the easier option has lost its way.
Households on standard variable tariffs can check their eligibility for ECO4 through their energy supplier. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open now and runs until 2028. Applications for the Great British Insulation Scheme close on 31 March 2026. The raffle may be legal, but the real prize is a warmer home that costs less to run — and it’s available to anyone who can navigate the paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
The raffle was cleared by the Gambling Commission in August 2025, but it was a one-off promotional event. No further rounds have been announced. The winner receives a year's energy costs up to the price cap level.
Draught-proofing windows and doors costs under £100 and can save £60-£80 a year. Switching to a heat pump tariff (typically 6-8p/kWh off-peak) can also cut costs if you have storage heating or a heat pump installed.
