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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Scottish & Southern Energy to raise its prices | Scottish & Southern Energy to raise its prices |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) has become the latest gas and electricity supplier to announce a rise in prices. | Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) has become the latest gas and electricity supplier to announce a rise in prices. |
| Its household electricity bills will increase by an average 11%, and its household gas bills by an average 18%, from 14 September. | Its household electricity bills will increase by an average 11%, and its household gas bills by an average 18%, from 14 September. |
| The move comes after British Gas said earlier this month that the cost of its electricity and gas will go up from 18 August. | The move comes after British Gas said earlier this month that the cost of its electricity and gas will go up from 18 August. |
| The energy firms are blaming a 30% increase in wholesale energy prices. | The energy firms are blaming a 30% increase in wholesale energy prices. |
| Another of the big six energy suppliers, Scottish Power, announced price rises in June, with the cost of its gas going up by 19% from the start of next month, and its electricity rising by 10%. | Another of the big six energy suppliers, Scottish Power, announced price rises in June, with the cost of its gas going up by 19% from the start of next month, and its electricity rising by 10%. |
| SSE first warned in May that its prices would likely have to go up because of a big rise in the wholesale prices it had to be pay. | SSE first warned in May that its prices would likely have to go up because of a big rise in the wholesale prices it had to be pay. |
| It made that announcement as it reported that its annual pre-tax profits had increased by 29% to £2.1bn. | It made that announcement as it reported that its annual pre-tax profits had increased by 29% to £2.1bn. |
| Fuel poverty | Fuel poverty |
| Last week, Consumer Focus said five million UK households now spent more than 10% of their total income on energy bills, which is classified as being in fuel poverty. | Last week, Consumer Focus said five million UK households now spent more than 10% of their total income on energy bills, which is classified as being in fuel poverty. |
| The watchdog estimates that the number of homes in this position will rise to nearly six and a half million households if all of the big six energy providers raise their prices. | The watchdog estimates that the number of homes in this position will rise to nearly six and a half million households if all of the big six energy providers raise their prices. |
| "This increase heaps more pressure onto already cash-strapped consumers and will tip many thousands more people into fuel poverty," said Mike O'Connor, chief executive of Consumer Focus. | "This increase heaps more pressure onto already cash-strapped consumers and will tip many thousands more people into fuel poverty," said Mike O'Connor, chief executive of Consumer Focus. |
| He demanded that the energy market be investigated by the Competition Commission, if the regulator Ofgem cannot establish that the recent price increases are fair. | He demanded that the energy market be investigated by the Competition Commission, if the regulator Ofgem cannot establish that the recent price increases are fair. |
| "Currently consumers cannot tell whether these increases are justified and that stokes the lack of trust in energy firms," Mr O'Connor said. | "Currently consumers cannot tell whether these increases are justified and that stokes the lack of trust in energy firms," Mr O'Connor said. |
| "Suppliers point to rising wholesale costs. Yet although wholesale prices have risen recently, they remain around a third lower than their 2008 peak," he added. | "Suppliers point to rising wholesale costs. Yet although wholesale prices have risen recently, they remain around a third lower than their 2008 peak," he added. |
| The price comparison service Uswitch said SSE's average bill, for a dual fuel customer, would rise by £171 to £1,265 - a jump of 16%. | The price comparison service Uswitch said SSE's average bill, for a dual fuel customer, would rise by £171 to £1,265 - a jump of 16%. |
| "Despite household energy bills having rocketed by almost £500 or 71% in just over five years, consumers are still being asked to pay more," said Ann Robinson of Uswitch. | |
| What is your reaction to this story? Please get in touch using the form below: | What is your reaction to this story? Please get in touch using the form below: |