yoursuresave.com | Shock for British Gas Customers as Britain's Biggest Supplier Hikes Up Prices

Oct. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- 12 October 2012

Yet again UK energy customers are about to bear the brunt of energy price rises, just as winter is around the corner.

British Gas points out that at the moment 11 million customers in the UK are eligible for free home insulation under a scheme, in which British Gas will assign work to contractors to come to your home and install free cavity wall and loft insulation.

Have you asked yourself who pays for this insulation work to be done, British Gas?  One might suspect that the fuel poverty stricken UK energy customer is not the only one to benefit from this scheme.

Does this mean that customers in very well insulated properties have no right to complain about fuel prices, which never seem to come down at the same time as the wholesale prices do?

Mark Todd, Director of independent price comparison service Energyhelpline.com responded to the announcement:

“This British Gas price rise is a bitter blow to tens of millions of people hoping to heat their homes this winter. Energy prices just seem to keep going up and up and hardly ever come down. Customers can beat these rises by switching to a fixed rate tariff from a competitor today. Many will be able to save over £175 a year and avoid any more price rises for the next two winters.

"11 million British Gas customers will be hit by an average price rise of 6% on their gas and electricity from 16th November, taking a typical monthly direct dual fuel bill up to £1265 a year.

"The UK’s average energy bills will hit £1,370 a year once this price rise takes effect – a UK record. Almost half of UK homes using gas are British Gas customers, and around 20% of homes use them to supply electricity. In a further blow to consumers, July 2012 saw British Gas announce additional profits of £64 million, a  profit increase of 23 per cent.*

This latest price rise will hit the average dual-fuel British Gas customer by an average of £1.50 per week, approximately an additional £80 a year.

"British Gas are the UK’s biggest energy supplier by a long way, and where they go you can be sure others will follow. Adding to this initial round of rises, we are anticipating similar announcements from all major suppliers before Christmas, increases between 5-10%.

The economy is being squeezed harder than ever, and these price rises are just adding to the woe.  Not only are energy prices rising, but consumers have just been hit with the news that food prices are on the up, with transport costs also set to rise in the new year. UK energy bills are heading for record levels this winter, and at Energyhelpline.com we fear that this will also send fuel poverty levels soaring. What this means is households having to make the terrible choice between eating and staying warm, affecting the most vulnerable in society most harshly.

"Earlier this year, British Gas dropped electricity prices by 5% but this came after two considerable price increases and only reduced a typical dual fuel bill by a tiny 2%. Last August, they raised prices by 18% on gas and 16% on electricity. In December 2010 they raised gas and electricity prices by 7%.

"Anyone who wants to save on their bills should switch today. Loyalty really doesn't pay. A typical British Gas customer could switch to a fixed rate today and save £175 a year. In doing so they will also guarantee themselves lower bills through the next 2 winters. It’s a no brainer. In today’s free energy market the only way to keep down your bills is to be savvy and switch.”

*£64m increase in operating profit in the six months to the end of June 2012

            
   Supplier          Tariff                                  Average Cost      Average Saving*
1   first:utility       iSave v12                              £1,054              £316
2   npower           Energy Online Jan 2014   £1,071              £299
3   npower           Bill Saver 2013                   £1,086              £284
4   first:utility   iSave Fixed v4                         £1,087              £283
5   OVO Energy   New Energy Fixed             £1,088              £282
6   ScottishPower   Help Beat Cancer Discounted Energy Aug 2015 Online   
                                                                                £1,118               £252

It's not too late to switch to a fixed price tariff.   This will protect you from any further price rises.  Visit  http://yoursuresave.com and check all tariffs from all the UK energy providers.

Or ring 08448707888 and one of our friendly assistants will guide you though the switching process.