uSwitch gas & electricity news July 2006

British Gas announced today domestic customers will be seeing an increase in their bills for the second time in 2006. Gas prices will increase by 12.4% and electricity will increase by 9.4%. The latest price rise is a huge blow to customers who were hit by a rise of 22% for both gas and electricity in February. British Gas is now 26% more expensive than the cheapest provider.

The price rises will come into effect from 4th September 2006.

All customers are affected by the price rise except those currently signed up to British Gas’ Price Protection plans and the Click Energy plan.

The price rise has drawn heavy criticism from consumer groups and Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com commented: “The public assurances given earlier in the year by British Gas following their record price rises in February have been rendered meaningless to their customers today, as they face further price rise misery in what has become the ‘annus horribilis’ for UK households.“

uSwitch.com has updated the prices for affected British Gas plans on our gas and electricity comparison and switching service.

EDF Energy today announced they will raise their gas and electricity prices for the second time in five months. Over 4.6 million customers who are supplied under the London Energy, SWEB Energy, Seeboard Energy and EDF Energy brands will pay an extra 19% for their gas and 8% for their electricity. This is the fourth rise for EDF Energy since January 2005.

The price rise will come into effect from 31st July 2006.

However EDF Energy does have some good news for customers. Those who are on capped or fixed rate plans will not be affected.

The recent surge in demand for electricity from using air conditioning and fans to beat the heat at home led to costs of electricity tripling over a few days last week. How are consumers affected? As energy companies use this as an excuse to raise their prices, consumers will have to expect higher gas and electricity bills.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, comments: “While the nation is in the grip of a heatwave, now may not seem like the time to start worrying about soaring gas and electricity bills. Both ScottishPower and EDF Energy have now raised their prices twice this year and most other suppliers are certain to follow suit. The domestic energy market rarely stands still and consumers need to review their current deal on a regular basis to ensure they aren’t paying more for their energy than necessary.”

uSwitch.com has updated the prices for London Energy, Seeboard Energy, SWEB Energy and EDF Energy on our gas and electricity comparison and switching service.