Aug 23 Reuters British energy regulator Ofgem on Friday raised its price cap on household energy bills by 10 from Oct. 1 to an annual level of 1,717 pounds 2,250.64, a jump blamed on severe weather events and conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.

Ultimately the price rise we are announcing today is driven by our reliance on a volatile global gas market that is too easily influenced by unforeseen international events and the actions of aggressive states, said Ofgem39;s CEO Jonathan Brearley.

We know that this rise in the price cap is going to be extremely difficult for many households, Brearley said.

Friday39;s rise of 10 for a typical dualfuel household was slightly above analysts39; forecasts. Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight said on Monday the cap was expected to rise 9 due to gas and electricity wholesale market prices, which have rebounded over the past few months.

While prices have stabilised somewhat compared to the previous two years, the market has not fully recovered from the energy crisis and the impact of Russia39;s invasion of Ukraine, the consultancy said.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the rise was a direct result of what he described as a failed energy policy the Labour government had inherited from the Conservative Party.

He said the policy left the country at the mercy of international gas markets controlled by dictators.

Cornwall Insight said measures should be introduced to protect the vulnerable from rising energy bills, and that in…