Consumers face another hike as First Utility announces 9.7% rise
First Utility is putting its prices up by 9.7% or £102 for gas and electricity from 1st April
117,000 dual fuel customers’ bills will go up from £1,047 to £1,149 a year – the equivalent of nearly £12m across the country
First Utility’s standard tariff will now be £315 more expensive than the cheapest deal on the market
Energy customers could save up to £618 by switching energy supplier
First Utility has announced a 9.7% increase in the price of its standard dual fuel tariff. The eye watering hike will add £102 to the bills of 117,000 customers, and follows previous price rises from EDF, npower, Scottish Power and Co-Operative Energy.
Commenting on the news, Claire Osborne, energy expert at Uswitch.com, says: “Any price rise is bad news for consumers and make no mistake, adding £102 to energy bills will have a significant impact on families who are already struggling to pay their bills and facing an increasing cost of living across the board.
“As ever it is customers already paying over the odds for their energy, on poor value standard tariffs, who will be hit by this price rise. Whilst 87% of First Utility’s customers are protected by being on a fixed deal, this will come as disappointing news to the 117,000 customers who will be impacted by this price increase. Everyone affected should vote with their feet and switch to a better deal before this hike comes into effect on 1st April.
“This is the latest in a long line of price rises from large and medium suppliers and won’t be the last. By making sure you’re on a fixed deal you can make savings of up to £618 a year, while also protecting yourself from any further price rises.”
Find out how you could save over £1,000 a year with Uswitchhere.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ailene Barr
Phone: 020 3872 5610
Email: ailene.barr@uswitch.com
Twitter: @uswitchPR
Notes to editors
According to Ofgem in March 2016, First Utility had 117,000 customers on its SVT. 117,000 * £102 = £11.9m
Cheapest deal is IRESA’s Iresa Flex4 12 month Fixed Direct Debit at £833.73. First Utility’s new SVT is £1,149. £1,149 - £833.73 = £315
Between 1 June 2016 and 30 November 2016, at least 10% of people who switched energy supplier for both gas & electricity with Uswitch saved £618 or more.
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