The cost of living has seen many UK households struggle to pay their bills, particularly since the energy price cap increased earlier this month, putting even more strain on Brits.

However, energy experts at Utility Bidder have carried out research to reveal the UK regions with the highest annual gas bills.

Researchers looked at those with the costliest gas unit prices and the regions with the most expensive fixed costs to determine the results.

The team also analysed which parts of the UK have seen the biggest increase in energy costs between 2019-2023.

The UK region with the highest average annual gas bill for the 2023 to 2024 financial year is the South of Scotland, where households paid around £1,245 for their annual gas usage.

This part of Scotland has huge stretches of rural land, so the gas supply infrastructure is less advanced than in other areas.

With open stretches of land, infrastructure maintenance becomes more difficult and expensive. These factors, along with the cost of transporting gas over longer distances to reach populated areas, contribute to inflated gas costs.

Between 2019 and 2023, electricity bills in South Scotland have increased by 17.3 percent - higher than in any other UK region.

In second place is the North East, who pay an average of £1,240 every year for their gas bills. The region, which covers cities such as Newcastle, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, is affected by factors such as the distance from gas supplies, retail competition and operating costs.

The West Midlands ties with the North East as the second highest paying region in the UK, paying an average annual domestic gas bill of £1,240.

The study also found that Merseyside & North Wales has the highest average annual fixed electricity costs at £218.74.

Meanwhile, London has the highest average annual fixed gas costs at £110.31. During 2019 and 2023, electricity unit prices in London increased by a staggering 10 percent, which is the highest in the UK.

Nevertheless, gas bills in Yorkshire have increased by 23.8 percent between 2019 and 2023, the highest percentage jump in the UK.

The UK regions with the most expensive gas bills:

1. South Scotland - £1,245

2. North East - £1,240

2. West Midlands - £1,240

4. Southern - £1,239

5. Merseyside and North Wales - £1,233