Energy bills to rise again, consumers are warned
SSE, formerly known as Scottish & Southern Energy, has already announced that from next Monday it will increase tariffs by 9 per cent on average in a move that will affect around five million electricity customers and 3.4 million gas account holders.
Concerns have been raised that other energy giants could follow suit as temperatures plummet, in a further blow to households squeezed by high living costs and low wage rises.
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Hide AdE.ON has said that while it will not raise prices in 2012, no decision has been taken about what will happen in January.
Martin Lewis, founder of consumer help website MoneySavingExpert.com, said: “Energy companies are like sheep – where one leads, the rest will follow. It is likely but not guaranteed that price hikes are coming. People should be taking preventative action.”
A survey published by Consumer Focus last month estimated that around six million households are planning to cut back on their heating this winter.
Citizens Advice warned that many households are so financially stretched that “every penny counts”.
It is running Big Energy Savings Week from 22 to 27 October to help people get a better deal on their fuel bills.