Scottish & Southern Energy price hike

Commenting on Scottish & Southern increasing the price of its main tariffs by 12 to 15 per cent, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: "Scottish & Southern said in January it would freeze prices for existing customers for as long as possible after 30 March – so it is a little disappointing it has only managed to hang on for another 48 hours.

"As from today, new customers who sign up to SSE will see the higher prices, but existing customers will not be hit until 1 April. Anyone on SSE's online tariff will suffer a 15 per cent price hike and Standard customers will be hit hard with a 12 per cent jump.

"It means the average Standard quarterly cash or cheque tariff for medium users of gas and electricity will be over £1,000 with all of the big six energy giants.

"With all of the providers having shown their hand now, npower will be the main beneficiary. Its SOL10 tariff, which averages less than £800 for medium users, is the cheapest in all 14 regions of Britain. The £100 difference between users in London and South Wales is a shock though."