British households face higher energy bills averaging £1,862 ($A3,497) a year from July after the national regulator hiked its price cap by 13 per cent on soaring wholesale gas prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The increase, up around £221 ($A415) from the previous cap of £1,641 ($A3,082) for April to June, will hit millions of households on variable tariffs, with analysts warning bills could climb further if disruption to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz persists.
The rise piles further pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as households struggle with rising living costs.
