uSwitch.com: npower fourth energy supplier to cut prices

Thomas Lyon, energy expert at uSwitch.com, says: "Consumers have been waiting throughout winter and now we have seen three price cuts in the space of six days. This is great news for consumers as suppliers seem to be clambering to rejoin the pack and to bring their prices back in line with those who have already made the move.

"Today's move is interesting because it is the first supplier this year to not just focus on gas but to also offer some relief to electricity customers. This doesn't come in the shape of a full-scale price cut though, but through a boost to the discount available to single fuel direct debit customers.

"Now that four of the big six have moved we can also see a clear trend emerging with gas price cuts coming in at around 6% or £50. This will not make up the ground lost two years ago when suppliers increased prices by 42% or £381 and we now expect household energy bills to end up around £270 higher than two years ago putting even more emphasis on the need for consumers to start managing their energy costs.

"Key to this is to make sure we pay the lowest possible price for our energy and learn to use less of it. Importantly, online energy plans currently cost around £300 a year less than suppliers' standard plans, offering households a real opportunity to take their energy bills back to pre-2008 levels."