THE DREAD OF WINTER

Warning high energy prices mean 'acute hardship' for millions & overload for NHS

- GRAHAM HISCOTT

Head of Business MILLIONS of households face acute hardship amid another winter of soaring energy prices and the NHS risks being overwhelmed, campaigners warn.

Charities were hoping regulator Ofgem's latest price cap, to be announced on Friday, would fall.

But industry experts Cornwall Insight yesterday forecast the cap will rise by another 1% to an average £1,736 a year from January, on top of a 10% jump last month.

The cap impacts 27 million customers on standard tariffs or with a prepayment meter.