Gas & Electricity
Sparks fly as Brits race to cap energy bills
While consumers struggle to pay the bills, energy companies continue to sit on profits of almost £1billion as a result of raising their prices.
ASDA: Latest gas price rise
Following the announcement by British Gas that customers are set to face a 35% rise in gas prices, ASDA Financial Services is urging the public to shop around for the best possible deal and choice of energy supplier.
Centrica and British Gas profits announcement
£992 million profit for Centrica and £166 million for British Gas - Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com, comments: "Despite two price rises this year which has left British Gas customers facing a total rise of 56 per cent for gas and 25 per cent for electricity, British Gas parent company Centrica today reports a 19 per cent fall in profits.
Child poverty charity deplores British Gas fuel price hike
Commenting on plans by British Gas to raise the price of gas by 35% and electricity by 9%, Kate Green chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group said: "These staggering energy price hikes risk hitting the poorest families hardest.
MoneyExpert.com: British Gas price hikes
Sean Gardner, director of MoneyExpert.com, said: "Another domino falls as British Gas follows the lead of EDF. Time is running out for switching to beat the price hikes so we'd urge everyone to act now.
moneysupermarket.com: British Gas increases prices
Commenting on British Gas increasing its gas and electricity prices, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at price comparison site, moneysupermarket.com, said: "Hot on the heels of EDF's price hike last Friday, British Gas bill payers are next to face the misery of price rises.
More price rise pain as British Gas puts prices up again
British Gas has become the second major energy supplier to announce a second price rise this year. The giant is putting its prices up again by 35% or £230 for gas and 9% or £37 for electricity coming into effect today.
Customers urged to switch to a capped tariff while they can
A second major utility company has raised prices seven days after money website Fool.co.uk's warned that cheap energy will run out by 30 July 2008.
Shop around and fix energy prices now
Following EDF's announcement of price hikes and Scottish Power's closure of fixed price plans to new customers, Rachel Mason, from financial comparison site Fairinvestment.co.uk advises consumers to shop around and fix as soon as possible.
Adopt smart metering to avoid uncontrolled bills
Consumers and businesses can benefit from more accurate utilities bills if utilities companies adopt smart metering practices, said Paul Smith, CEO of Wyless, in response to the warning on estimated bills issued recently by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
To cap or not to cap?
The recent EDF announcement that it will raise its prices by 17% for electricity and 22% for gas, coupled with escalating living costs, has left many consumers increasingly feeling the squeeze;
MoneyExpert.com: EDF energy price rises
Sean Gardner, Director, MoneyExpert.com, said: "Given that EDF are already at the foot of the table in terms of price, these increases are going to be a further kick in the teeth for their 7.9 million customers.
Cap your energy tariff before you get knee-capped
The first of the major utility companies has raised prices just three days after our warning that cheap energy will run out on 31 July.
EDF price hike
Commenting on EDF increasing the price of its standard tariff (22 per cent for gas and 17 per cent for electricity), Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com, said: "EDF is the first to throw down the gauntlet and increase prices with immediate effect and it is only a matter of time before other providers follow suit.
Days of cheap energy are over
Predictions of further energy price rises have today become reality with EDF Energy announcing price increases of 22% or £143 for gas and 17% or £65 for electricity coming into effect immediately.