This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/money/2013/dec/06/eon-price-rise-gas-electricity

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
E.ON announces 3.7% price rise E.ON announces 3.7% price rise
(35 minutes later)
E.ON has become the last of the big six energy providers to announce a price rise, saying it will increase bills by an average of 3.7% in the new year.E.ON has become the last of the big six energy providers to announce a price rise, saying it will increase bills by an average of 3.7% in the new year.
The increase, which will take effect on 18 January 2014, will add £48 a year to the average dual fuel bill.The increase, which will take effect on 18 January 2014, will add £48 a year to the average dual fuel bill.
Customers who only buy electricity from E.ON will see bills rise by an average of 3.7% or £20 a year, while gas customers will see a 4.6% or £37-a-year rise.Customers who only buy electricity from E.ON will see bills rise by an average of 3.7% or £20 a year, while gas customers will see a 4.6% or £37-a-year rise.
The firm has 5 million residential customers around the UK, although some are on fixed-price tariffs and will be unaffected by the change.The firm has 5 million residential customers around the UK, although some are on fixed-price tariffs and will be unaffected by the change.
E.ON is the last of the major providers to announce a price increase, and the first to do so since the government unveiled a package of measures designed to reduce consumers' bills by about £50 in 2014.E.ON is the last of the major providers to announce a price increase, and the first to do so since the government unveiled a package of measures designed to reduce consumers' bills by about £50 in 2014.
The rise is lower than those initially announced by rivals including British Gas and npower, as it takes into account a reduction in the firm's obligations to provide environmental measures to households.The rise is lower than those initially announced by rivals including British Gas and npower, as it takes into account a reduction in the firm's obligations to provide environmental measures to households.
The £48 average increase also factors in a £12 rebate which all electricity customers will receive in 2014 and 2015. The £48 average increase does not factor in a £12 rebate which all electricity customers will receive in 2014 and 2015.
E.ON's chief executive, Tony Cocker, said the company was facing extra costs and wanted to "continue to deliver a sustainable future for all of our employees and maintain our investment in the UK".E.ON's chief executive, Tony Cocker, said the company was facing extra costs and wanted to "continue to deliver a sustainable future for all of our employees and maintain our investment in the UK".
"There is no escaping the simple fact that any price rise is unwelcome news for customers," he said. "We know that, which is why we have held off for longer than most of our competitors and worked hard to keep our rise as low as possible. However, now more than ever the help we offer our customers, in terms of advice and practical measures, is absolutely vital.""There is no escaping the simple fact that any price rise is unwelcome news for customers," he said. "We know that, which is why we have held off for longer than most of our competitors and worked hard to keep our rise as low as possible. However, now more than ever the help we offer our customers, in terms of advice and practical measures, is absolutely vital."
Cocker said there were "no guarantees", but the likelihood of further price rises over the next 18 months had receded following the government's action.Cocker said there were "no guarantees", but the likelihood of further price rises over the next 18 months had receded following the government's action.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.