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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Scottish and Southern cuts prices | Scottish and Southern cuts prices |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has said it will cut prices for electricity and gas customers from 30 March. | Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has said it will cut prices for electricity and gas customers from 30 March. |
| It said average prices for electricity customers would fall by 9% and average gas bills would be trimmed by 4% - the first price cut since March 2007. | It said average prices for electricity customers would fall by 9% and average gas bills would be trimmed by 4% - the first price cut since March 2007. |
| The firm also supplies energy under the brand names Southern Electric, Swalec, Scottish Hydro Electric and Atlantic. | The firm also supplies energy under the brand names Southern Electric, Swalec, Scottish Hydro Electric and Atlantic. |
| The announcement followed the decision by British Gas to cut gas bills by 10% from 19 February. | The announcement followed the decision by British Gas to cut gas bills by 10% from 19 February. |
| "Dual fuel" customers would see an average annual saving of £66, the company said. | "Dual fuel" customers would see an average annual saving of £66, the company said. |
| SSE said that the falls in energy prices on wholesale markets had been maintained, allowing it to deliver a price cut. | SSE said that the falls in energy prices on wholesale markets had been maintained, allowing it to deliver a price cut. |
| However, the firm warned that prices remain at relatively high levels. | However, the firm warned that prices remain at relatively high levels. |
| Electricity and gas prices are still 46% and 51% higher than two years ago, it said. | Electricity and gas prices are still 46% and 51% higher than two years ago, it said. |
| "The UK now relies on energy imports and wholesale prices for electricity and gas are still at historically high levels," said Alistair Phillips-Davies, SSE's energy supply director. | "The UK now relies on energy imports and wholesale prices for electricity and gas are still at historically high levels," said Alistair Phillips-Davies, SSE's energy supply director. |
| At the end of last year the "big six" energy companies were urged by the government to pass on lower wholesale gas prices. | At the end of last year the "big six" energy companies were urged by the government to pass on lower wholesale gas prices. |
| Scottish and Southern said that customers on its dual fuel tariff would pay 10% less than British Gas customers before its rival's price reduction on 19 February, and 4% less after. |