Energy bills to rise again, consumers are warned

Consumers have been warned to brace themselves for the possibility of further energy price hikes and urged to take action to keep their bills down as a 
“matter of urgency”.

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.

E.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.