Third time unlucky for consumers as SEE increases prices

SSE has become the third of Britain's big six energy suppliers to announce a second price increase in under a year. It will be increasing its prices by 18% or £118 for gas and 11% or £49 for electricity from 14 September. The move will hit around 5.2 million electricity customers and 3.6 million gas customers and will add an extra £171 on to SSE's average annual standard dual fuel bill, which will increase from £1,094 to £1,265 as a result.

SSE last increased its prices in December by 9.2% or £55 for gas. However, it didn't increase its electricity prices making it the only big six supplier not to hit customers with hikes on both fuels. In total though, within a year SSE's customers will have seen their bills hiked by £227 or 22%. This compares with increases of £239 or 21% seen by ScottishPower customers and £258 or 25% seen by British Gas customers.

The news will pile further woe onto cash strapped consumers who have already seen household energy bills rocket by £472 or 71% in just over 5 years while recent uSwitch.com research suggests that 6.3 million or almost a quarter of households (24%) are living in fuel poverty. 

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: "Despite household energy bills having rocketed by almost £500 or 71% in just over 5 years, consumers are still being asked to pay more. Household finances are creaking and groaning under the weight of price hikes, but the biggest concern in this has to be the impact on fuel poverty. Already almost a quarter of households can be classed as fuel poor and a string of substantial price increases in the space of a year will be pushing many more into this pit.

"There is no room for complacency and I would urge consumers to act now to ensure they are paying the lowest possible price for their household energy and to reduce the amount they use. Fixing your energy prices is an option that offers security and peace of mind, especially for those worried about the impact of price hikes on their household budget. But, whatever type of plan you opt for, always make sure you get an independent and impartial comparison based on your own personal circumstances before signing on the dotted line."