Last of the big six, EDF ends winter price freeze

EDF Energy will become the last of the big six suppliers to raise its prices after announcing plans to end its winter price freeze on 2 March.

Standard tariffs for electricity bills will rise by an 7.5 per cent on average, while gas bills will go up by an average of 6.5 per cent.

EDF, which has 5.5 million customers in the UK, held its prices through the coldest December on record as part of its winter price freeze.

An average annual standard dual-fuel bill paid by direct debit will rise by 68 to 1,051, or an extra 1.31 a week.

EDF had already increased electricity prices in October, although it is its first standard gas hike for residential customers since 2009.

Audrey Gallacher, head of energy at watchdog Consumer Focus, said: "EDF Energy's customers will be hugely disappointed that the supplier has chosen to up its prices as soon as possible after its price freeze ends."

Martin Lawrence, managing director of energy sourcing and customer supply at EDF Energy, said: "Although we regret the need to raise prices, we held out for longer than all of the other major suppliers.

"We have delayed this increase until the end of a particularly difficult winter, which included the coldest December in 100 years."

The UK's big six energy suppliers are EDF, British Gas, EON, Npower, Scottish and Southern Energy and ScottishPower.