SSE to raise gas and electricity prices

SSE are the first of the ‘Big 6' to announce gas and electricity price rises in response to increasing wholesale and distribution costs.

Gas and electricity prices are to increase by 9%, effective from 15 October 2012, affecting 5milllion household electricity customers and 3.4million household gas customers in Great Britain

This increase means an average of £102 added to the average household bill for the customers affected

Last summer SSE pledged not to increase energy prices until August 2012 at the earliest, but extended this in January by 2 months. Whilst they may appear to have kept their promise, SSE average gas prices are now 22.8% higher and average electricity prices are 20.9% higher than this time last year.

Commenting on the news that the energy firm SSE will increase its gas and electricity prices by an average of 9% from 15 October Kate Rose, Head of Energy at Confused.com says:" With many households already struggling to cover increasing household bills, and with winter just around the corner, this price rise will hit many families hard. We advise consumers to act quickly to make sure they are on the cheapest tariffs. Consumers should seriously consider fixed or capped tariffs as these offer price and security from future hikes, especially as there are industry experts predicting similar announcements of rises from the UK largest energy supplier British Gas in the next few weeks."

"Also, households can reduce their energy bills, by simply using an energy price comparison website like Confused.com.  Opting to pay by direct debit, switching to an online tariff and becoming more aware of their energy consumption are three easy steps customers can take to find lower their energy costs."