The energy secretary has defended the 4% rise in the Ofgem price cap, stating she “can’t control wars”. The energy price cap will rise from October 1 for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales, an increase the energy secretary admitted will not cover the prime minister’s formerly announced help on energy bills. Appearing on Sky News on Wednesday (26 August), the Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, defended the hike, saying: “We're going to keep working to get bills down. “What I can't control are wars in the Middle East that we weren't a part of, which impact families here.” Analysts say the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has pushed wholesale energy prices higher.