As energy bills become more expensive from today, respected forecasters have said they are likely to rise further in spring instead of fall, as first anticipated.

The energy price cap rises from January, bringing the cost of a typical annual bill to £1,738 – £21 a year more than from October to December.

Bills had already become more expensive from October, up 10% a year – or £12 per month.

But now the forecast dip in April will not materialise, according to energy consultants Cornwall Insight.

Instead, the firm said the cost in April is expected to rise to £1,785 a year for a typical consumer, nearly a 3% increase on January’s cap, about an extra £4 a month on the average bill.

Compared to the three months from July, it will cost £217 a year more, according to the forecast.

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Billpayers have seen energy costs rise every three months since July. Energy regulator Ofgem revises its price cap four times a year, setting out the maximum a provider can charge per unit of gas and electricity.

It’s assessed based on how much providers themselves are being charged to supply power and is intended to protect consumers and utilities.

Why are bills going up?

Continued volatility in international energy markets is behind the cost increases.

EU gas storage levels and uncertainty over the gas transit deal between Russia and Ukraine have contributed to “a level of volatility we haven’t seen for months”, according to Cornwall Insight’s principal consultant Dr Craig Lowrey.

The unknown impact of a Trump presidency on liquified natural gas (LNG) flows means the firm said its forecasts will “display a high degree of variability”.

These events resulted in higher wholesale prices which impact how much households are billed in the UK.

These forecasts “could very well increase or decrease several times before the April cap is set”, Dr Lowrey said.

The official energy price cap announcement for the three months from April will come on 25 February.

Also influencing bills are possible changes to the standing charge, the fixed daily amount to receive gas and electricity.

Ofgem is consulting on introducing an option to include zero-standing charge options alongside existing tariffs, offering more consumer choice.

As of 31 December, Cornwall Insight anticipated a July price cap fall before an October rise.

The typical household could see major bills rise by almost £270 by April, Sky News analysis suggests.

The increase in costs for energy, water and council tax would outstrip inflation and add to pressure on family budgets.

The first impact will be felt from New Year’s Day, with the domestic energy price cap rising for the second time this winter.

A household paying by direct debit and using the typical amount of gas and electricity will pay an extra £21 – or 1.2% – a year, increasing their bill to £1,738, according to the regulator Ofgem.

But there will be more pain in April when energy analysts Cornwall Insight predict bills will rise a further £52 a year to reach £1,790. That’s an increase of 3%.

April will prove a tough month for struggling households.

Water bills will rise by an average of £86 in England and Wales under plans agreed by the regulator Ofwat. Increases in Scotland are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

And council tax is also expected to rise in April. Local authorities that provide social care can increase bills by 5%, without government permission or a local referendum.

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That would add £109 to the bill for an average band D home.

UK inflation is currently 2.6% – below the rise in bills.

The increase in energy prices will hit households at the coldest time of year, when many pensioners have had their winter fuel payment withdrawn.

It also comes amidst wider gloom in the UK economy.

Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show there was zero economic growth in the third quarter of last year, and businesses have warned the hike in employers’ national insurance contributions will hit jobs and pay.

A 70-year-old woman has been killed after a hit-and-run crash in Paisley on New Year’s Eve.

The pensioner was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a white car in Barrhead Road at about 7pm on Tuesday.

Police Scotland said the driver failed to stop at the scene, near to the junction with Ladykirk Crescent.

The force added enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate the car, as well as to establish the full circumstances which led to the fatal collision.

Detective Inspector David Tomlinson said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who died and everyone affected by this tragic incident.

“I would urge anyone who may have witnessed anything or believes they saw, or may have dashcam footage, of a white coloured car on the road prior to the collision to get in touch.

“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who thinks they have seen a car matching this description after the collision which may have had damage.”