By Tom McGhie, Financial Mail on Sunday, London Jan. 20--Energy bills are soaring. The era of the average £1,000-a-year fuel charge has arrived, helped on by last week's decision by British Gas to raise prices for its 18 million customers by 15 per cent.

By TOM McGHIE ENERGY bills are soaring. The era of the average Pounds 1,000-a- year fuel charge has arrived, helped on by last week's decision by British Gas to raise prices for its 18 million customers by 15 per cent.

By TOM MCGHIE THE INTERVIEW Britain's 25 million gas consumers should be grateful that Alistair Buchanan likes a fight. The combative style of the head of energy regulator Ofgem has already brought down their bills.

Households will not go short of gas this winter even if the weather is severe - but supplies could be tight if new import schemes are not fully utilised, energy regulator Ofgem warned yesterday.