The superpower battle over energy – and what it means for your bills

A gas rig in the North Sea. An oil field in Texas. A solar panel factory in China. They can feel a world away, but your energy bill says otherwise.

In January, it could jump by more than a quarter – around £460 extra a year for the typical UK household – according to the latest forecasts from the big suppliers British Gas, EDF and E.ON.

For the second time in four years, a war thousands of miles away is landing in British inboxes.

Since US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, oil and gas prices have soared.