ScottishPower has today become the 4th energy supplier to announce a price hike – 8.6% on average, which will see its typical dual fuel bill for a standard cash or cheque customer rise by £112 to £1,480 a year from 6th December.
Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at Uswitch.com, says: “Unfortunately, the floodgates have opened and it looks like consumers are going to be buffeted by suppliers in very quick succession. The danger is that these hikes are sweeping households towards a cliff edge – when bills hit £1,500 a year this will be the tipping point where many will have no choice but to go without heating. This will have a serious impact on health and well-being.
“I would urge consumers to sit up and take action. If these price hikes are going to be a deal-breaker for you then I would urge you to look at one of the competitive fixed price tariffs currently available which can help you to freeze your prices for anything up to four winters. And rather than switch your heating off or take chances with your health by going cold, think about making your home energy efficient instead. If cost is a problem, look at the Government’s Green Deal scheme or speak to your supplier.
“Using less energy and paying less for what you do use are everyone’s best protection against the high cost of energy today.”
ScottishPower announcement 24th October, 2013
Based on a medium user consuming 3,300 kWh of electricity and 16,500 kWh of gas on a standard dual fuel tariff, paying quarterly by cash and cheque, with bill sizes averaged across all regions.
It’s all about “U”!
Thank you for indulging us over the last 20 years by using a small ‘u’ and a big ‘S’ when writing about our brand in your articles.
We are delighted to let you know that you are now off the hook - it’s big U’s all the way (and small s’s) as we undertake our biggest ever rebrand - so let your autocorrect go wild!
Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. Launched in September 2000, we help consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, TV, and financial services products and get more of what matters to them. Last year we saved consumers over £373 million on their energy bills alone.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a new business that also owns Money.co.uk and Bankrate.
If you would no longer like to receive our press releases please email prteam@uswitch.com with 'unsubscribe'.