Energy bills to go up by 5.2% for 128k more energy customers

The Co-operative Energy is one of the latest suppliers to announce it will be hiking prices for its standard variable rate customers.

The 5.2% price rise for an estimated 128,000 customers takes effect 20 August, and equates to £7.8 million added to energy bills nationwide.

While bills are 'skyrocketing', customers fight back

More than 19 suppliers have heaped energy price rises on 11 million households so far in 2018 — to the tune of nearly £600 million in increased energy bills. Some suppliers, such as EDF Energy, Bulb and E.ON, have announced more than one price rise.

Rik Smith, Uswitch.com energy expert, said, “The news from Co-operative Energy today is the 25th overall increase announced this year. We have now seen at least one price rise from Britain’s 10 biggest energy suppliers in 2018, as well as hikes from numerous smaller providers.

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“Despite the warm weather it has been a tough year for energy customers who have seen their bills skyrocket by an average of £58 (5.6%).

“But in the face of this relentless barrage of price rises taking standard tariffs to nearly £400 above the cheapest deals on the market, bill payers have been fighting back in record-breaking numbers. According to the latest data, 2.7 million customers have switched so far this year, with record numbers of people going to small suppliers. Now is the time to switch, save up to £482 and protect yourself against future rises.”

What to do if you're impacted by a price rise

If you're on a standard variable rate tariff — likely if you've just moved or never switched — from any of the below suppliers, you could be paying hundreds more than you need to for the same exact energy:

Changes to Standard Variable Tariffs 2018

Supplier	SVT Tariff Name	Previous SVT price	New SVT price	Difference		Comes into effect from:
Ebico	Ebico Zero	£1,101	£1,161	£60	5.5%	16th January
Octopus Energy*	Flexible Octopus	£908	£931	£23	2.5%	15th February
iSupply	iVariable	£1,014	£1,090	£76	7.5%	1st March
Pure Planet**	100% Green	£860	£872	£12	1.4%	31st March, 1st May
ENGIE	Safe And Easy	£980	£1,038	£58	5.9%	4th April
Our Power	Our Best	£848	£939	£91	10.7%	4th April
Ecotricity	Green Electricity + Green Gas	£1,201	£1,258	£58	4.8%	14th April
Igloo Energy	IGLOO PIONEER	£845	£871	£26	3.1%	16th April
E.ON***	E.ON Energy Plan	£1,123	£1,153	£30	2.7%	19 April
Bulb	Vari-Fair	£855	£878	£24	2.8%	28th April
British Gas	British Gas Standard Variable Tariff	£1,101	£1,161	£60	5.4%	29th May
Scottish Power	Standard	£1,147	£1,211	£64	5.6%	1st June
EDF Energy	Standard (Variable)	£1,142	£1,158	£16	1.4%	7th June
Ovo****	Simpler Energy	£1,097	£1,150	£53	4.8%	8th June
npower	Standard SC	£1,166	£1,230	£64	5.5%	17th June
Utility Warehouse	Value	£1,125	£1,175	£50	4.4%	1st July
SSE*****	Standard	£1,109	£1,196	£87	7.9%	11th July
First utility	First Variable	£1,131	£1,191	£60	5.3%	23rd July
Bulb	Vari-Fair	£878	£923	£45	5.1%	12th August
E.ON	E.ON Energy Plan	£1,153	£1,208	£55	4.8%	16th August
Co-operative Energy	Green Pioneer	£1,158	£1,218	£61	5.2%	20th August
Tonik	Life Energy	£979	£1,085	£106	10.8%	23rd August
EDF	Standard (Variable)	£1,157	£1,227	£70	6.1%	31st August
Solarplicity	Solarplicity’s Standard Variable	£887	£1,003	£116	13.1%	Mid-end August
Bristol Energy	Standard Variable	£997	£1,079	£82	8.2%	9th September
Average		£1,038	£1,096	£58	5.6%

Source: Uswitch data, correct as of 17th July. Prices based on average annual usage for a dual-fuel tariff, paying by monthly direct debit.

It takes just a few minutes to compare and switch energy supplier. If you've never switched before, read Uswitch's step-by-step guide for first-time energy switchers.

*Existing SVT customers would have no price change, new SVT customers would receive the higher tariff
**Pure Planet issued two price changes, a price rise and price cut, the table gives the net outcome
***E.ON price change represents removal of £15 per fuel paperless and dual fuel discounts

****OVO also raised prices of white label, regional suppliers such as Peterborough Energy and White Rose, however due to regional variations the price rise will differ per region. Details available upon request.

*****SSE price change includes removal of £6 per fuel paperless discount

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