What changes from 1 October: six things that will touch almost everyone

October in Britain is the month when bills, hiring rules, tribunal deadlines and the vaccination programme all change at once. Below are six changes that will touch almost everyone, with dates and figures. Plus three deadlines to meet.

What happens to energy bills on 1 October?

The Ofgem cap rises by 4%: a typical household on a standard tariff paying by direct debit will pay around £1,723 a year instead of £1,663. That is £60 a year, roughly £5 a month.

Most of the rise is in gas. The new unit rates and standing charges are in our separate breakdown.

Is VAT on electricity really going to zero?

Yes. From 1 October the VAT rate on domestic electricity falls from 5% to zero. You do not apply for it; suppliers must apply it automatically, including on fixed tariffs.

Two caveats that matter more than the headline. First, it covers electricity ONLY — gas is still charged at 5%. Second, it is announced for the current financial year. What it means for the bill we worked out separately.

Whose right to work is now checked?

From 1 October the duty to check status extends beyond employees to anyone working under a worker's contract, through an agency, a subcontract or an online platform. That means couriers, drivers, cleaners, builders and everyone previously taken on "as self-employed".

The worker needs a share code from their UKVI account and a date of birth. What to prepare and what the business risks is in the guide.

How long do you now have to bring a tribunal claim?

Six months instead of three. The time limit for an employment tribunal claim doubles from 1 October. In Scotland, for breach of contract claims, the date is 9 November.

Three months was the limit people missed most: you are dismissed, you spend a month recovering, a month job-hunting, and by the time you look into it, it is too late. Note that the clock runs from the event, not from the day you thought about it, and Acas early conciliation is still required first.

From what date is the free flu jab available?

For at-risk adults and people aged 65 and over, from 1 October. Pregnant women and children started earlier, on 1 September. National booking opened on 17 August and runs to 31 March 2027.

Who exactly is on the list, and why more than half of those eligible skip it, is here.

What changes on 30 October for anyone working with the public?

Employers become responsible not only for their own staff but for the behaviour of third parties — customers, visitors, contractors. They must take "all reasonable steps" against harassment by customers.

That covers cafes, shops, taxis, salons, care homes, construction and delivery — the sectors a large share of our readers work in. What counts as reasonable steps we covered separately.

Which three October dates must not be missed?

5 October — the deadline to tell HMRC about income for the year ending 5 April. It applies to anyone who did casual work, let a property or worked for themselves and passed the £1,000 threshold. Missing it risks a failure-to-notify penalty.

8 October — the main body of the new immigration rules, HC 584, takes effect. Separate provisions follow on 29 October, 30 November and 9 December.

28 October — the Autumn Budget, where next year's rates and thresholds are set.

All of these, with bank holidays, are gathered in the ONLYWAY calendar.

Read next: The energy price cap rises 4% from 1 October · Right-to-work checks extend to couriers and subcontractors from 1 October