Millions of households face rises in energy bills of at least £139

Today’s announcement that energy bills are to rise, again, is difficult news for families already worried about their finances as autumn approaches.

Households will pay at least £139 more for their gas and electricity from October, just as the furlough scheme ends and Universal Credit is cut.

The regulator says it had no choice but to allow the rise, as wholesale costs of fossil fuels have risen sharply.