Fuel poverty fears on rise

Around 170,000 households across Scotland could be plunged into fuel poverty as soaring price rises are imposed.

Scottish & Southern Energy yesterday announced gas bills will increase by an average of 18 per cent and electricity bills by an average of 11 per cent. It follows similar hikes by Scottish Power and British Gas.

The Scottish Government said an extra 170,000 households could be placed into fuel poverty if the increases were replicated across all suppliers.