£4k a year bill

Energy crisis as Putin cuts gas ml

- GRAHAM HISCOTT

HOUSEHOLD energy bills are set to rocket towards £4000 a year after Christmas, experts predict.

Average direct debits will soar to the equivalent of £500 a month in January.

Forecasters have already said the cap could rise over £3200 a year in October.

Wholesale energy prices hit a record high of 340p a therm yesterday after Russia cut gas supplies to Europe, more than double the 161p cost on July 18.

Moscow has been accused of "weaponising" a gas pipeline to Germany in retaliation to sanctions after its invasion of Ukraine.

Nord Stream 1 carries a third of Russian gas exports to Europe. Britain is not reliant on its gas but is being buffeted by sky-high costs.