12.10.12
Gas and electricity tariffs increased by 6%
British Gas is raising gas and electricity tariffs by 6%, which means that the annual duel fuel bill for average customers will increase by around £80 from next month.
From November 16, prices will go up, making British Gas the second most expensive supplier after SSE, which has already announced price rises of 9% to come into effect on Monday.
The rise will affect 8.5 million households, and it is widely anticipated that the rest of the ‘Big six’ will follow suit and shortly announce their own increases.
British Gas managing director Phil Bentley said: “We simply cannot ignore the rising costs that are largely outside our control, but which make up most of the bill. Britain's North Sea gas supplies are running out, and British Gas has to pay the going rate for gas in a competitive global marketplace.
“Furthermore, the investment needed to maintain and upgrade the national grid to deliver energy to our customers' homes, and the costs of the Government's policies for a clean, energy efficient Britain, are all going up.”
Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: “This is a bitter blow for consumers and comes just ahead of winter when the impact on bills will be even more acute.
“With SSE's price hike coming into effect next Monday and now Britain's biggest supplier announcing a rise of its own, the writing is on the wall for consumers this winter – energy bills are going skywards.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]