30 December 2005
Consumers can now definitely expect to pay inflated gas prices next year, the managing director of British Gas announced yesterday.
Mark Clare told BBC Radio Four's Today programme that high wholesale prices were sure to have an effect on the final bills received by British households.
He did however assure customers that British Gas was confident in its ability to maintain supply lines this winter, despite recent rumours of possible interruptions.
Mr Clare said: "With wholesale prices where they are, all suppliers are going to have to put prices up in 2006, and I think that is inevitable.
"We are already having to pay very, very high prices for gas for January and February for our customers, and consumers will therefore look forward to higher prices in 2006."
He argued: "I don't think we have any choice when you look at the level of wholesale prices."
Mr Clare told the programme that British Gas is focusing on reducing costs as quickly as possible in order to hold prices down into the New Year.
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