Energy firms to be quizzed by MPs about bills
Energy chiefs will be asked to defend expected future rises in fuel bills when they appear before MPs on Tuesday.
Domestic suppliers are under pressure to explain pricing intentions after the BBC learnt that household energy bills could rise by up to 40% this winter.
Industry sources have suggested households could pay £400 more a year on average for gas and electricity.
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‘Do not panic-buy’ motorists urged
Drivers are being urged to buy only the fuel they need as more than 600 tanker drivers begin a four-day strike.
The drivers, who work for two companies delivering fuel to Shell forecourts in the UK, walked out at 0600 BST.
Last-minute talks aimed at resolving the dispute ended without agreement when the Unite union rejected an improved pay offer.
Shell said it had contingency plans in place but admitted some of its 1,000 petrol stations might run out of fuel.
Unite said the improved pay offer from Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, who employ the drivers, was “not sufficient”.
The employers said their latest offer would take drivers’ average earnings to about £41,500, up from the current average salary of £36,500.