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| E.On to raise gas and electricity prices in April | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Big six energy provider E.On has said it will increase its dual fuel standard variable tariffs by 8.8% from next month. | Big six energy provider E.On has said it will increase its dual fuel standard variable tariffs by 8.8% from next month. |
| Electricity prices will rise by an average of 13.8%, and gas prices by 3.8%. | Electricity prices will rise by an average of 13.8%, and gas prices by 3.8%. |
| E.On said that 2.5 million customers would be affected by the increases, which come into effect on 26 April. | E.On said that 2.5 million customers would be affected by the increases, which come into effect on 26 April. |
| The average bill will rise by £97 a year. However it is the first such increase in three years. | |
| It blamed the social and environmental schemes which support renewable energy, but which customers have to pay for through their bills. | It blamed the social and environmental schemes which support renewable energy, but which customers have to pay for through their bills. |
| Wholesale energy costs had actually come down, it said, thanks to its hedging policy. | |
| Three other big power companies have announced price rises this year, while British Gas has announced a freeze until August. | Three other big power companies have announced price rises this year, while British Gas has announced a freeze until August. |
| E.On said it would send more than three million letters this month to its customers, making it clear that cheaper tariffs are available. | |
| In addition, some vulnerable customers - including those over 65 - will be offered special deals. | |
| They will receive letters with a tear-off permission slip, which will enable them to switch to E.On's cheapest tariff before the price rises come into effect. | |
| Standard tariffs have come under criticism from MPs and the government, as they are more expensive than fixed-term deals. | |
| The regulator has also put pressure on energy suppliers to get more of their customers to switch to cheaper deals. | |
| At the moment about two-thirds of customers are on standard tariffs. |