Minister 'worried' by energy rises

19 June 2008

Consumers are likely to face increased charges for both gas and electricity, it has been claimed this week.

According to Malcolm Wicks, the energy minister, global fees for coal, oil and gas will force up bills in the UK, reports the Press Association.

But Mr Wicks would not suggest how much the energy hikes were going to be, saying that he would only be assuming.

"Yes, I'm worried about the scale of it. I can't give you a figure because actually, with respect to all the experts, no-one knows," he commented.

However, he argued that the rises are going to be "significant" and that various issues have to be tackled in the months ahead.

Yet energy bills are still lower in the UK than they are in different parts of Europe, the minister contended.

This week, watchdog Ofgem revealed that it is going to investigate npower over alleged billing alterations that could have seen consumers charged more money.

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