Household bills will rise 80 per cent in October, but there are fears nationally that hospitals, care homes and businesses will be crippled given their large energy usage.

For over a week the Watford Observer has repeatedly asked West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust whether it is financially prepared and if services are at risk.

The trust has did not respond at the time of publishing.

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Shortly after, chief financial officer Don Richards said: “Contracts with integrated care boards include an allowance for general inflation and we have a 4.1% increase in funding, net of efficiencies, to cover inflation.

"National funding priorities will also be redirected to cover demonstrable additional inflationary pressures.”

It comes as energy regulator Ofgem this morning confirmed average annual household bills will rise from £1,971 to £3,549 in October.

Prices are then expected to soar again in January and April – potentially to nearly £7,000 per year.

The poorest households face “Armageddon over the winter”, according to charity National Energy Action, which says only government intervention can avert disaster.

Reports suggest a bailout is imminent, though neither Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss have committed to it, but there are differing views on how that should be funded.

Some claim profits made by the likes of BP and Shell should be taxed to cover increases now, with renationalising energy the longer-term solution.

Others say energy companies loaning the money, which would then be paid back over time by the public through taxation, is a more viable option.