Thousands across UK suffer 29% rise in gas and electricity costs

Thousands of homes across the UK will bear the brunt of rising costs after announcements from two energy providers that a 29% hike was going to take place.

Scottish and Southern Energy who share 8.8 million consumers have taken the decision to increase gas costs by 29.2% and electricity by 19%. Meanwhile, 5.5 million consumers with E.O.N. will face gas cost hike of 26% and electricity hike by 16%. These developments have caused a flurry of criticism from consumer rights organisations, who termed it as a ‘national disgrace’. The average family with a duel-fuel agreement will face an annual gas and electricity hike between £250 to £1,260 in a year. British Gas and EDF too have joined the fray by announcing price hikes.

nPower and Scottish Power are the sole two energy suppliers that have not raised their prices so far. Meanwhile, defending their decision to raise prices, SSE and E.O.N. placed the blame on the increased wholesale gas prices as well as food and petrol costs. However, this did not succeed in calming consumer rights organisations that spoke of consumers across the country who were struggling with the increased cost of living.

Charitable organisations such as Age Concern have expressed dismay while stating that people who are already weighed under household expenses will be further tormented by the price hikes. Indications are that one out of every three homes that are on pension will be in a state of fuel poverty which translates to spending over 10% of income on fuel costs. This in turn will give rise to a situation in which these homes will be unable to maintain both food and fuel expenses and will have to sacrifice either one commodity.

Please visit www.scottish-southern.co.uk, www.eon-uk.com, www.edfenergy.com, www.npower.com, www.scottishpower.com and www.britishgas.co.uk for more