Energy bills set to hit £500 a month in January as Russia squeezes European gas supplies

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( July 28, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Energy bills set to hit £500 a month in January as Russia squeezes European gas supplies]( Energy bills are set to triple as British households face an "almighty hit" to living standards, economists have warned. The average household could face a bill of £500 for energy in January 2023, with a prediction of an annual price cap of £3,850, far exceeding already gloomy predictions for rising bills made earlier this year. The forecast, by utilities consultancy BFY Group, came as Russia took further steps to slash its gas supplies to Europe, strangling the market even further. The country has drastically reduced gas supplies to several European states since waging war on Ukraine. The bitter conflict has upped pressure on global food, petrol and domestic energy costs. National Grid has said that possible shortfalls in Europe's gas supplies pose "risks" to Britain's power supplies in the coldest months. Under measures to secure the operation of the Grid, households could be paid to use less electricity at peak times.   2 / [‘Promising’ breakthrough in race to develop ‘holy grail’ Covid vaccine for multiple variants]( Francis Crick Institute believes it has identified a genetic feature of the virus that appears to be ‘similar’ across a number of viruses and is less prone to mutations 3 / [Jack Fenton: Sister of Briton killed by helicopter blade says ‘someone should be punished’ for tragedy]( Jack was shy family man ‘loved by everyone,’ his sister Daisy said 4 / [World entering ‘dangerous new age’ amid rapid spread of lethal weapons, warns UK national security adviser]( Sophisticated weapons being acquired by armed groups as well as states, Sir Stephen Lovegrove says 5 / [Labour frontbencher sacked after defying Starmer order to stay away from rail strike picket line]( Aslef announces another walkout on Saturday 13 August affecting nine rail companies     The Big Question How are Sarina Wiegman’s all-conquering Lionesses making history? The England women’s football team stormed into the final of Euro 2022 after thrashing Sweden 4-0 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield on Tuesday evening, with goals from Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby sending the fans wild. “You asked are you ready to write history? I think this is history,” the side’s ruthless Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman declared afterwards. But after years of semi-final disappointment, how has she managed to adjust the mentality of the hugely talented Lionesses and finally turn them into winners capable of challenging for the very highest honours? [For the full story click here >](   Watch/ [Researchers say Loch Ness Monster is ‘plausible’ after fossil discovery in Morocco](   NUMBER OF THE DAY 15 – The number of UK landlords who have [refused to take in Maxim and Olga Hyryk and their five children]( after the Ukrainian family fled Kyiv following the Russian invasion of their homeland, a situation that leaves them in fear of homelessness in Britain.   QUOTE OF THE DAY “We have heard from people turning off lights, TVs and cookers. One woman told me she only boils the kettle once a day. Women are eating microwave food every day, which is not good for their mental or physical health. People can’t afford fresh fruit. All of this is meaning people are mentally very low.” – Morgan Vine of Independent Age tells The Independent about the [‘very stark’ choices many vulnerable pensioners are facing]( as the cost of living crisis strikes.       Other stories you might like   [Germany face England in Euro 2022 final after narrow victory against France](   [Activist claims he’s being ‘framed’ over fake bomb threat to Chinese embassy in London](   [Stromae: ‘No one told me I was a one-hit wonder. I was saying that to myself’](       Articles available exclusively to subscribers Sean O’Grady, The Independent - [Sir Keir Starmer is looking ahead to an election, hence his political rethink](   Other newsletters you might like [The Race Report] The Race Report Fortnightly, 7am (UK time) Written by Nadine White [Sign up]( [Inside Politics] Inside Politics Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by Matt Mathers [Sign up](   If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. 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