Burnham says rising energy prices are ‘difficult’ as typical annual bill rises to £1,723 from October – business live

Gas and electricity bills to rise by £60, or 4%, to highest level in three years, regulator Ofgem announces

• Labour’s energy bills crisis is getting worse. Political honesty is essential

Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy sectary, said the government will explore “what more we can do” to help those struggling with high bills, via “fundamental reforms” including investment in renewable energy.

Families will be understandably concerned about the cost of energy bills this winter, which is being driven up by the Iran war.

Energy is an everyday essential and it needs to be affordable for everyone, which is why we have cut VAT on electricity bills from October, to give families some breathing space.

If you look at energy bills, if you look at how much of a family’s finances it is taking up, it is far too expensive.

So, whether that is short-term support that we’re providing to provide a bit of breathing space, which is what the government has done and will continue looking at that, or more fundamental reforms that we need to make to the energy market to drive down bills for good, we are absolutely determined to do that.