UK energy bills are skyrocketing. Why is it happening?

By SYLVIA HUI
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — A cost-of-living crisis in Britain is about to get worse. Millions of people will pay about 80% more a year on their household energy bills starting in October. The U.K. energy regulator on Friday announced the latest price cap, which is the maximum amount that gas suppliers can charge customers per unit of energy. It means people will pay 3,549 pounds a year for heating and electricity. Scores are already struggling to make ends meet as inflation soars to 40-year highs. The government faces widespread calls to do more to offer relief, but no new measures are expected before a new prime minister is chosen to replace Boris Johnson.