Millions of people across the country will now feel the impact of an unprecedented £700-a-year rise in energy costs, with new official figures suggesting four in 10 bill payers have been finding it very, or somewhat, difficult to afford their energy costs.

Even before the latest increases, charity Citizens Advice said that in March it referred 24,752 people to food banks or to other charitable support, up by 44% compared to the same month last year.

Prices in general are rising at their fastest rate for 30 years, One estimate suggests that from today, a typical consumer is now facing a £73 a month increase in bills, of which about £58 is from rising energy costs.

Bleak Friday: how people are reacting to the energy and household bill price hikes that take effect today