Energy help extended but bills still to rise for millions

Help with energy costs has been extended for all households, but at a less generous level, meaning millions will still face higher bills.

The bill for a typical household will rise to £3,000 in April, from £2,500 now, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced.

Without this help, average bills would have gone up to about £3,740, according to analyst estimates.

Mr Hunt also announced additional cost-of-living payments for the most vulnerable.

This amounted to £900 to households on means-tested benefits, £300 to pensioner households, and £150 for individuals on disability benefit.