moneysupermarket.com reveals best energy deal

Commenting on Scottish Power and npower increasing its gas and electricity prices, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: "Almost 12 million customers will be affected by today's announcement. The big six energy providers have all shown their hand and hit their customers with higher energy bills.

"Effective from Monday 1 September 2008, Scottish Power's price hike of 34 per cent for gas, nine per cent for electricity and 25 per cent for dual fuel will affect those in North Wales, Liverpool and Southern Scotland the most. Effective immediately, npower's price hikes of 26 per cent for gas and 14 per cent for electricity will affect those in their incumbent regions - Yorkshire, Northern England and Midlands – the most.

"We can now see how the land lies and reveal British Gas’ online dual fuel tariff – Click Energy 5 – is the cheapest on average for households. Customers on this tariff will pay £845 on average a year for their fuel bills compared with £1,317 on average across the big six energy giants. However, I expect some tweaking with the online tariffs in the next couple of weeks as providers weigh up their offering against each other and jostle for the top position.

"While I urge customers to jump onto the best tariff according to their consumption and region, especially those languishing on a standard tariff, the price war is far from over in my eyes. Wholesale gas prices continue to soar and it is likely we could see another bout of price hikes in the next six months. However, those looking for reassurance against further price hikes should opt for a fixed tariff now.

"Any consumers now concerned about their ability to pay their energy bills should seek help and find out more about social tariffs that might be available to them.”