moneysupermarket.com - First Utility price increases

Commenting on First Utility price increases to isave tariffs, Scott Byrom, energy manager at moneysupermarket.com, said: "First Utility strikes the first blow to British gas and electricity bill payers by increasing prices for its existing customers. This is just the tip of the iceberg and while we've predicted rises to leading deals for weeks, the move from First Utility is the clearest indication yet that the ‘Big Six' energy giants will follow their move,

"Existing customers of First Utility's variable online dual fuel tariffs - isave 1 and 2 - will see increases to their energy bills, with the isave 2 rising by 23.3 per cent to £1136 a year. This deal is now £254 more expensive than the best online dual fuel deal, SaveOnline v2 from E.ON at £882 a year.

"If the cost of wholesale energy continues to rise, and energy companies keep removing the cheapest deals from the market, Brits should be on their guard and ‘fix now' if they want to secure the best deals for gas and electricity. Doing so will ensure any price increases during the term of a deal will pass you by, and most importantly won't hit your wallet hard during the cold, and more costly, winter months.

"The best current fixed deal available is npower's ‘Go Fix v2' tariff - although there is a high chance it could soon be pulled from the market, so you should move quickly.  At just over £900 a year it is the best option for bill payers looking to secure their energy outgoings against the prospect of future price rises. The next best fixed deal at the moment is ‘New Energy Fixed' from OVO Energy at £926 annually, or for those looking for an online deal, ‘SaveOnline v2' from E.ON at £882 a year."