Energy price soars

Co-operative Energy is upping its standard variable prices by an inflation-busting 5.2% next month.

The increase, adding £61 to its typical annual bill, will affect around 128,000 households.

According to website uSwitch, it is the 25th increase announced by suppliers this year alone.

Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer is to reboot its energy offering in a tie-up with another smaller supplier, Octopus. The launch of M&S Energy comes just a week after the high street firm split with SSE, its previous partner of nine years.

Customers who had M&S Energy through SSE will be offered the choice to stick with the energy giant or move over to a new Octopus tariff.