Household energy bills are forecast to rise by 10% from July following sharp increases in wholesale gas prices driven by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, experts have warned.

Analysts Cornwall Insight said forecasts for Ofgem's price cap for July to September had surged to £1,801 a year for a typical dual fuel household - an increase of £160 or 10% on April's cap announced last week. Cornwall said the rise was a "cause for concern" and warned any increase would also feed through to electricity prices. However, it said the final price cap would be based on average wholesale prices over a three-month period, meaning it would depend on how long gas prices remained elevated and how long the volatility persisted.

Wholesale markets have climbed amid heightened regional tensions in the Middle East.

Following US and Israeli missile strikes on Iran, retaliatory attacks from Iran damaged oil and gas infrastructure across key Gulf states.

QatarEnergy has been forced to pause production of liquified natural gas (LNG) at several sites hit during Iran's response.

Iran has also warned ships not to use the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for about 20% of global oil and gas, adding further pressure to global energy markets.

Although Europe and the UK do not rely heavily on Qatari LNG, reduced supply will affect major Asian importers such as Japan, South Korea and Pakistan, meaning competition in the global market is expected to intensify, pushing prices up.

Dr Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: "Looking at the April cap, the role of wholesale prices as a determinant of bills had eased given the impacts of policy costs and network costs.

"However, this latest forecast puts the role of wholesale markets firmly back in the spotlight and illustrates how exposed UK households remain to international market movements.

"While the rise is eye-catching, any immediate concern should be tempered. We are still early in the assessment period for the July cap, and what happens in the energy markets over the next three months will be the key factor, rather than this spike alone.

"Events like this reinforce the case for greater home-grown renewable generation. Reducing the UK's reliance on volatile global gas markets is the most durable way to protect households from future price shocks."

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