Protests over soaring energy prices take place across UK

Demonstrators rally in London, Cardiff, Birmingham and other cities following major rise in cap on household bills

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in the UK in protest against the sharp rise in energy prices, as a cabinet minister said the government could not completely nullify" the increases.

Demonstrations took place on Saturday, including one near Downing Street in central London where crowds gathered to hear speeches, including from former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Other protests took place in cities including Cardiff and Birmingham. They follow a major increase in the energy price cap on Friday, with average household gas and electricity bills rising to 1,971 a year. A further jump in October could take the cost up to 2,600.