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SSE freezes energy prices until 2016 SSE freezes energy prices until 2016
(35 minutes later)
Energy supplier SSE says it will freeze domestic gas and electricity prices at their current levels until 2016.Energy supplier SSE says it will freeze domestic gas and electricity prices at their current levels until 2016.
The move comes after many of the "big six" UK energy firms raised their tariffs at the end of last year.The move comes after many of the "big six" UK energy firms raised their tariffs at the end of last year.
SSE said it expects lower profits as a result of the freeze, but it would be "streamlining and simplifying" its business to cover the shortfall. SSE, whose companies Swalec said it expects lower profits as a result of the freeze, but it "streamline" its business to cover the shortfall.
The company announced it would cut 500 jobs and shelve three planned offshore wind farm developments.The company announced it would cut 500 jobs and shelve three planned offshore wind farm developments.
As a result, SSE hopes to make annual operational cost savings of £100m.As a result, SSE hopes to make annual operational cost savings of £100m.
The BBC's industry correspondent, John Moylan, says the freeze has echoes of Labour's flagship energy policy, which promises to keep prices at the same level for 20 months after the next election if Labour are elected.The BBC's industry correspondent, John Moylan, says the freeze has echoes of Labour's flagship energy policy, which promises to keep prices at the same level for 20 months after the next election if Labour are elected.
The proposal has been heavily criticised by many in the industry.The proposal has been heavily criticised by many in the industry.
But SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies said "delivering the lowest possible energy prices" to customers was "central to everything we do".But SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies said "delivering the lowest possible energy prices" to customers was "central to everything we do".
The boss of the UK's second biggest supplier also called on the government to take energy taxes out of bills and retrieve them through general taxation instead.The boss of the UK's second biggest supplier also called on the government to take energy taxes out of bills and retrieve them through general taxation instead.
The move would make sure tax "is paid for fairly in a way that is proportionate to people's income and protects the vulnerable", he added.The move would make sure tax "is paid for fairly in a way that is proportionate to people's income and protects the vulnerable", he added.
The company has written to the leaders of UK political parties on the subject of green levies, he said.
"We're looking to do whatever we can to bring down prices for consumers," Mr Phillips-Davies told the BBC.
SSE, which is based in Perth, said it would legally separate its retail and wholesale businesses by March 2015, in order to "improve transparency".SSE, which is based in Perth, said it would legally separate its retail and wholesale businesses by March 2015, in order to "improve transparency".
"I hope that people will start to recognise SSE is not part of the problem but part of the solution," Mr Phillips-Davies said."I hope that people will start to recognise SSE is not part of the problem but part of the solution," Mr Phillips-Davies said.
Regulators are this week expected to give their verdict on whether there should be a full investigation into the competitive practices of energy companies.
Mr Phillips-Davies said that SSE had been working on the price freeze for some time, and that changes to its business were not linked to the upcoming verdict.
Are you an SSE customer, employee or shareholder? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'SSE energy' in the subject heading and include your contact details.Are you an SSE customer, employee or shareholder? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'SSE energy' in the subject heading and include your contact details.