25 July 2008
Gas and electricity customers have been given another warning about the probable direction of their energy bills over the coming months. The Chief Executive of Scottish and Southern Energy yesterday joined his competitor British Gas in acknowledging that further price rises are likely in the near future. Ian Marchant said his company had so far refrained from passing on increases in the wholesale price of gas and electricity to its customers. But he insisted that "doing so is becoming more difficult by the day", adding: "I can't see it won't happen before winter." His comments come after British Gas owner Centrica warned in a report that domestic gas bills could rise as high as £1000 within the next few years. Adam Scorer, the Director of Campaigns at the consumer watchdog energywatch, told the Times: "We expect to see major price rises from all energy companies before the year is out and probably before the autumn."