British Gas yesterday announced they are to increase electricity prices by 12.5% from 15 September 15.
Its owner Centrica said the rise will affect 3.1 million customers.
Gas prices are to remain unchanged, but the average annual dual-fuel bill for a typical household on a standard tariff will rise by £76 to £1,120, up by 7.3%.
Centrica said the rise was “a result of transmission and distribution costs and the costs of government policy”.
But the government said its policy costs “could not explain” the rises.
Centrica said the price increase was its first since November 2013, adding that British Gas was one of the last suppliers to raise prices.
The company said it would protect its most “vulnerable customers” against the rise and that British Gas would credit more than 200,000 people on the government’s Warm Home Discount with £76.
What do you think?…
We asked people from across the borough about their thoughts on the latest rise in energy prices.
Lee Roach, from Calverton, said: “This is a real blow. I was really hoping for a fall in prices after a reasonably-hot summer, not a more rises. What will the government do about this? Probably nothing as usual.”
Tam Banks, from Arnold, said: “Wages aren’t rising but energy prices around us are. It’s becoming a real struggle for me now. I just don’t see why it’s allowed.”
Gary Lawrence, from Carlton, was happy about the price rise.
He said: “I work for a rival, so obviously it’s good for business as people will look at switching to us. No idea if the others plan to do the same, but at the moment the phones are buzzing!”
Terri-Anne Hemsley, from Bestwood, said a state supplier should be set up.
She said: “If the government is so angry about this, why not set up their own supplier and undercut the big boys and start a price war. People would sign up if it was cheaper and the money could go back in the public purse”
- What do you think about yesterday’s price rise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or on our Facebook page
