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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Scottish & Southern raises prices | Scottish & Southern raises prices |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) is to raise its domestic energy prices by an average of 14.2% for electricity, and by 15.8% for gas. | Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) is to raise its domestic energy prices by an average of 14.2% for electricity, and by 15.8% for gas. |
| The last of the big six suppliers to announce price rises since the start of the year, SSE said the increases would come into effect from 1 April. | The last of the big six suppliers to announce price rises since the start of the year, SSE said the increases would come into effect from 1 April. |
| Npower, EDF Energy, British Gas, Scottish Power and E.On have already lifted their own prices. | Npower, EDF Energy, British Gas, Scottish Power and E.On have already lifted their own prices. |
| Like all its rivals, SSE has blamed the sharp rise in wholesale energy prices. | Like all its rivals, SSE has blamed the sharp rise in wholesale energy prices. |
| 'Volatile markets' | 'Volatile markets' |
| "Energy supply in the UK is changing dramatically, with companies having to operate in volatile markets, which reflect depletion of North Sea oil and gas fields, soaring global demand for all types of energy and over $100 a barrel for oil," said SSE's energy supply director Alistair Phillips-Davies. | "Energy supply in the UK is changing dramatically, with companies having to operate in volatile markets, which reflect depletion of North Sea oil and gas fields, soaring global demand for all types of energy and over $100 a barrel for oil," said SSE's energy supply director Alistair Phillips-Davies. |
| "These pressures are compounded by the rising transmission, distribution and environmental costs which suppliers have to meet. | "These pressures are compounded by the rising transmission, distribution and environmental costs which suppliers have to meet. |
| "You cannot resist indefinitely the impact of these issues and I am sorry that all of this has culminated in the price rises we are announcing today." | "You cannot resist indefinitely the impact of these issues and I am sorry that all of this has culminated in the price rises we are announcing today." |
| SSE said in January that it would not lift its prices until at least April. | SSE said in January that it would not lift its prices until at least April. |
| Rising prices | Rising prices |
| An annual SSE electricity bill will rise by an average of £50 and a gas bill by £85, according to price comparison website Uswitch.com. | An annual SSE electricity bill will rise by an average of £50 and a gas bill by £85, according to price comparison website Uswitch.com. |
| It should come as no surprise to their customers that bills are increasing as where others lead, it was sure to follow Tim Wolfenden, Uswitch | It should come as no surprise to their customers that bills are increasing as where others lead, it was sure to follow Tim Wolfenden, Uswitch |
| A dual fuel bill will increase by £131, it said, taking the average annual fuel bill for a SSE customer to £1,006 as of 1 April. | A dual fuel bill will increase by £131, it said, taking the average annual fuel bill for a SSE customer to £1,006 as of 1 April. |
| "As the last of the big six energy suppliers to increase its prices, SSE should be applauded for ensuring its customers were not impacted by price increases over the winter months," said Tim Wolfenden, head of home services at Uswitch.com. | "As the last of the big six energy suppliers to increase its prices, SSE should be applauded for ensuring its customers were not impacted by price increases over the winter months," said Tim Wolfenden, head of home services at Uswitch.com. |
| "Unfortunately, it should come as no surprise to their customers that bills are increasing as where others lead, it was sure to follow." | "Unfortunately, it should come as no surprise to their customers that bills are increasing as where others lead, it was sure to follow." |
| Since the start of the year, Npower has put prices up for its electricity customers by 12.7% and gas prices rose by 17.2%. EDF put up electricity tariffs by 7.9% and gas prices by 12.9%. | Since the start of the year, Npower has put prices up for its electricity customers by 12.7% and gas prices rose by 17.2%. EDF put up electricity tariffs by 7.9% and gas prices by 12.9%. |
| British Gas increased gas and electricity prices by 15%. Scottish Power increased gas bills by 15% and electricity bills by 14%, and E.On put up gas bills by 15% and electricity tariffs by 9.7%. | British Gas increased gas and electricity prices by 15%. Scottish Power increased gas bills by 15% and electricity bills by 14%, and E.On put up gas bills by 15% and electricity tariffs by 9.7%. |
| Market probe | |
| Regulator Ofgem announced last month that it was launching an inquiry into the UK's electricity and gas markets. | |
| Customer watchdog Energywatch says this has to bring benefits for consumers. | |
| "In recent weeks the energy market has been the subject of announcements regarding parliamentary inquiries, regulatory probes, full-scale network reviews, fuel poverty summits and Budget threats," said Adam Scorer, Energywatch director of campaigns. | |
| "The energy market, and the value it provides for consumers, is under unprecedented scrutiny and consumers need these inquiries to deliver significant improvements to make the energy market work for consumers." |