Suppliers pile pressure on government over energy bills
Immediate action is needed to help households struggling with bills this winter, says trade body Energy UK.
By BBC News
Energy suppliers have piled pressure on the government to act over household bills, with Energy UK warning that immediate support is needed for people facing higher costs this winter.
The BBC report says analysts are expecting domestic energy prices to rise by 16% in January, affecting around 20 million households on variable tariffs covered by Ofgem’s price cap.
That comes after a 4% increase in prices took effect at the start of October. The BBC said this was equivalent to about £60 a year, or £5 a month, taking a typical annual dual-fuel bill to £1,723 if sustained for a full year.
The warning from Energy UK centres on the impact of those rises as colder weather approaches. The trade body said urgent action is needed to help households struggling with bills this winter, according to the BBC report.
The figures reported by the broadcaster show the latest increase has already been passed on to customers on standard variable tariffs in England, Scotland and Wales. The predicted January rise would add to that pressure if it goes ahead as forecast.
The BBC report does not name a specific town, venue or council area, and it is focused on the national energy market rather than a single Cheshire location.