First energy price hikes kick-in

The first of the pre-Christmas energy price hikes hits consumers tomorrow (Thursday 25th November) - exactly one month before Christmas Day. Despite being the last of three suppliers to announce an increase so far, ScottishPower's price rise comes into effect first as it gave customers just six days' notice.

As a result, around 2.5 million ScottishPower customers will be waking up to a 2% increase for gas and 8.9% for electricity. This will add an extra £52 on to the average annual ScottishPower household energy bill, taking it from £1,305 to £1,357 a year.

This move means that ScottishPower is the most expensive supplier on the market. Its standard tariff is now £419 a year more expensive on average than the cheapest energy plan in the market while customers who want to stick to paying by cash or cheque will find it up to £190 more expensive than rival suppliers. However, on monthly direct debit it remains competitive.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: "We've had the announcements, now cold reality bites as consumers are actually hit with the first full-scale energy price hike since 2008. As of tomorrow (Thursday 25th November), ScottishPower customers will see their average household energy bill go up by £52 a year. They will not be alone - on the 1st December SSE customers join the price rise misery followed by British Gas customers on the 10th December.

"It is now crucial that all consumers, no matter which supplier they are with, start to help themselves by making sure that they are paying the lowest price possible for their household energy. The difference between the cheapest energy plan in the market and the most expensive standard plan has now stretched to £419 a year. This is a substantial saving that can be boosted even further by adopting sensible energy efficiency measures. In a time of rising energy prices cutting down on the amount we pay and the amount we use is our best form of defence."