Energy bills to go up by 9%
Britain's second largest energy firm SSE has said it will increase gas and elecricity tariffs by an average of 9% in October. It is blaming price increases in wholesale markets, as well as rising costs of using the National Grid network.
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Energy bill price hikes not just a problem for consumers
SSE to introduce 'simple standing charge tariff structure'
Significantly increased costs mean that a price increase is now unavoidable. Household prices to rise 9% from 15 Oct: http://t.co/XDFk8D0w
From @SSE on Twitter:We’re also introducing a new simple standing charge tariff structure and clear fixed monetary discounts. http://t.co/XDFk8D0w
From @SSE on Twitter:All customers will receive a letter fully explaining these changes in the first two weeks of September.
From @SSE on Twitter:How will the price rise affect you?
SSE said the 9% rise, which applies across gas and electricity, will add another £8.53 a month on to the typical monthly direct debit, dual fuel customer - taking the average annual bill to £1,274.
The group committed in January to keeping household bills on hold until October.
– Ian Marchant, SSE chief executiveUnfortunately, the increases in costs that we have seen since making this pledge can no longer be absorbed and mean that we are unable to keep prices at their current levels beyond this autumn.
An increase in our prices has therefore, regrettably, become unavoidable.
SSE, which trades as Southern Electric, Swalec and Scottish Hydro, said it had seen a 14% increase year-on-year in the average price in the wholesale market to secure gas for the coming winter.
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SSE facing 'upward pressure' on its costs
Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of SSE, said the company was facing "upward pressure on the costs" it incurs which is why prices had to rise.
Price hike 'threat' to inflation's downward trend
by Laura Kuenssberg - Business EditorSSE's 9% price rise is a threat to inflation's downward trend - utility prices were a big part of high rates last year.
8 million customers to feel fuel price hike
More than 8 million customers will be affected by the increase in tariffs announced by energy company SSE.
Around 5 million electricity customers and 3.4 million gas customers will be hit by the 9% rise, due on October 15.
Electricity and gas to rise by 9% from Autumn
Energy firm SSE said today that electricity and gas prices will rise by 9% on average, from October 15 this year.