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The move has raised hopes predicted further rises by suppliers in the UK can be avoided. Gas prices have soared amid strong demand in Asia driven by the economic recovery following the pandemic lockdowns, together with depleted EU stocks.

Late on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed Gazprom to start pumping gas into the company’s storage facilities in Austria and Germany by November 8 ‑ after it has filled domestic depots.

Mr Putin said: “This will make it possible to fulfil our contractual commitments in a reliable, stable and consistent manner and to supply our European partners with gas in the autumn and winter.”

The move immediately drove European gas prices down.

Wholesale gas prices across the world have risen 250 percent since January.

Energy experts have warned that nearly 40 million people in Britain have concerns about paying their energy bills this winter because of rocketing prices.

More than a quarter (27 percent) believe they will have to make sacrifices such as buying less food or using less energy in an effort to afford their bills, research from comparison firm Energy Helpline suggested.

Nearly half (47 percent) of people surveyed said cutting down on the amount of energy used around the home is now a priority.

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