Gas prices jumped by as much as 50 percent after a technical fault caused the closure of one of the UK’s key pipelines.

The closure amidst continued cold weather and increased demand, has led to fears that the UK energy infrastructure is risking shortages, however the government has denied this.

The major gas pipeline running is scheduled to run at a reduced capacity in the near future when Norway carries out essential maintenance work in April.

The impact of the shortage on current prices is likely to impact the rise of home energy bills as companies pass down cost rises.

A spokesman from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, said: “'Storage levels are low at the moment - as you'd expect towards the end of winter”, adding that “the UK gas market is tight”.

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