This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-11741766
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| British Gas to raise gas and electricity bills by 7% | British Gas to raise gas and electricity bills by 7% |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| British Gas customers will face a 7% rise in gas and electricity bills this winter, the company has announced. | British Gas customers will face a 7% rise in gas and electricity bills this winter, the company has announced. |
| The increase, which comes into effect on 10 December, was the result of rising wholesale prices, it said. | The increase, which comes into effect on 10 December, was the result of rising wholesale prices, it said. |
| The rise affects eight million customers, but the company added that its 300,000 most vulnerable customers would initially not be charged more. | The rise affects eight million customers, but the company added that its 300,000 most vulnerable customers would initially not be charged more. |
| British Gas has become the second major UK energy supplier to announce price increases for the winter months. | British Gas has become the second major UK energy supplier to announce price increases for the winter months. |
| It said that wholesale gas prices had risen by 25% since the spring. | It said that wholesale gas prices had risen by 25% since the spring. |
| "We know that rising energy prices come at a difficult time for many," said British Gas managing director Phil Bentley. | "We know that rising energy prices come at a difficult time for many," said British Gas managing director Phil Bentley. |
| The company said prices for those on a typical dual-fuel deal would go up by £1.50 a week. | The company said prices for those on a typical dual-fuel deal would go up by £1.50 a week. |
| Vulnerable customers on the "Essentials" package with British Gas will have prices held until 1 April 2011. | Vulnerable customers on the "Essentials" package with British Gas will have prices held until 1 April 2011. |
| Other suppliers | Other suppliers |
| The announcement comes shortly after Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) said it was to put up its domestic gas tariffs by 9.4% at the start of December. | The announcement comes shortly after Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) said it was to put up its domestic gas tariffs by 9.4% at the start of December. |
| SSE blamed wholesale prices for the increase in customer bills this winter, but apologised for the timing. | SSE blamed wholesale prices for the increase in customer bills this winter, but apologised for the timing. |
| The announcement, on 29 October, came just before SSE reported a 6.1% fall in pre-tax profits to £386m in the first half of the company's financial year. | The announcement, on 29 October, came just before SSE reported a 6.1% fall in pre-tax profits to £386m in the first half of the company's financial year. |
| It was the first time for two years that standard prices among the "big six" energy suppliers have risen, and follows some price falls during last year. | It was the first time for two years that standard prices among the "big six" energy suppliers have risen, and follows some price falls during last year. |
| Earlier this week, EDF issued a challenge to the other main energy providers by announcing it would freeze gas and electricity prices for residential customers over the winter, with standard tariffs fixed until at least March 2011. | Earlier this week, EDF issued a challenge to the other main energy providers by announcing it would freeze gas and electricity prices for residential customers over the winter, with standard tariffs fixed until at least March 2011. |
| Wholesale costs | Wholesale costs |
| The announcements could be the start of a trend, according to Ann Robinson of price comparison website Uswitch. | The announcements could be the start of a trend, according to Ann Robinson of price comparison website Uswitch. |
| "After a two year lull, household energy prices are about to resume their steady climb upwards again," she said. | "After a two year lull, household energy prices are about to resume their steady climb upwards again," she said. |
| "Unfortunately for consumers, the 8% or £99 reduction seen over the last two years failed miserably to reverse the impact of the 42% or £381 increase seen in 2008. And now, whatever small benefit was seen is about to be wiped back out again." | "Unfortunately for consumers, the 8% or £99 reduction seen over the last two years failed miserably to reverse the impact of the 42% or £381 increase seen in 2008. And now, whatever small benefit was seen is about to be wiped back out again." |
| She said the average household bill for a dual-fuel British Gas customer would now go up from £1,157 to £1,239. | She said the average household bill for a dual-fuel British Gas customer would now go up from £1,157 to £1,239. |
| Watchdog Consumer Focus argued that energy companies were shifting risk on to customers. | Watchdog Consumer Focus argued that energy companies were shifting risk on to customers. |
| "British Gas and other suppliers respond to forward energy prices, and that will be their argument that price rises are needed," said Adam Scorer, from Consumer Focus. | "British Gas and other suppliers respond to forward energy prices, and that will be their argument that price rises are needed," said Adam Scorer, from Consumer Focus. |
| "However, wholesale prices are around half of their peak in 2008 and yet in the same period customers prices were cut by less than 10%. | "However, wholesale prices are around half of their peak in 2008 and yet in the same period customers prices were cut by less than 10%. |
| "Consumers will feel that suppliers did not make cuts when conditions allowed it, but are covering their profit margins as wholesale prices nudge up. At a time when there are reports of a gas glut it seems that consumers take on all the risk in this market." | "Consumers will feel that suppliers did not make cuts when conditions allowed it, but are covering their profit margins as wholesale prices nudge up. At a time when there are reports of a gas glut it seems that consumers take on all the risk in this market." |
| Read a selection of your comments | |
| I am a British Gas customer. I am also severely disabled. I am currently facing cuts to my care, cuts to my benefits, and increases in costs of living due to VAT increases. A third of my benefit already goes directly to social services to pay for my care. I honestly do not know how I will meet the costs of this 7% increase. A very difficult winter lies ahead. To say that I'm very, very, very mad is an understatement. | |
| Sarah, Southampton | |
| I have been a British Gas dual fuel customer for many years and would have to say I still find them the most competative. British Gas like all other energy suppliers are quick to raise the price but ''snail like'' when reducing, always blaming some ''market'' factor. Equally, like all, they are still allowed to make huge profits and the regulatory bodies overseeing these companies do nothing for the consumer, just make thenmselves look good by imposing a fine here and there. Get rid of the regulatory bodies such as Ofgem, Ofgas,Ofwat etc,etc they are a wsate of time and money! | |
| Nick, Bristol | |
| British Gas reported pre-tax profits of something in the region of £595 million for 2009. Obviously, like everyone else, they are attempting to increase this figure for the next financial year on the backs of their customers. | |
| Phil, North Yorkshire | |
| I am in the process of changing my current supplier back to British Gas after they rose their prices even higher than what BG are doing. I am also a BG deferred pensioner as my late hubby worked for British Gas for over 30 years. I think it's disgusting that these big companies are allowed to raise their prices so often. | |
| Anne, Port Talbot | |
| I have a dual fuel internet account. I change supplier whenever my current supplier becomes significantly uncompetitive. Obviously we are now in a round of price rises and all the main suppliers will be raising their prices. In February I shall do a comparison check. If British Gas is not offering a competitive rate at that time I'll change supplier. Everyone should do the same. | |
| Philip Wilson, Basingstoke | |
| Typical British Gas underhand practice. They ran a series of deals at the beginning of the year scoring well on the price comparison sites, to temp more customers in. Then when they have them tied in with a £70 get out fee, they up the prices in winter to maximise profits when we are using more. I shall be switching to another supplier, even if I lose out, rather than fund this shady type of business. I hope many others follow. | |
| Keith, Rotherham | |
| What is your reaction to the proposed price increases? Are you a British Gas customer? Do you regularly switch energy suppliers? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | What is your reaction to the proposed price increases? Are you a British Gas customer? Do you regularly switch energy suppliers? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |