Europe is approaching a winter of discontent as energy prices continue to rise. This is not good news for families and businesses that all depend on gas, petrol and electricity. The reasons behind the soaring energy prices are well known. Some may be temporary but others will take a long time to resolve. The worst of the economic disruption caused by the pandemic seems over. Global demand is recovering strongly and this is causing energy prices to spike. According to the International Energy Agency, there has been a 600 per cent increase in European gas prices in 2021.