Around 8.5 million households are to be hit with a 6% rise in their energy bills today as British Gas becomes the latest utility giant to hike its tariffs.
Unison has attacked UK energy companies for raising prices, as British Gas owner Centrica imposes a 6% rise in energy bills today, ahead of an expected announcement of £1.4 billion profits.
The billion pound profits of energy companies, announced at the same time as massive price hikes for their customers, are an insult to the many families who are struggling to get by as winter takes hold. “In this time of austerity, it is only right that we ask big companies to contribute more out of their profits.
– Mike Jeram, Unison head of business and environment
8.5 million households hit by British Gas price hike
British Gas owner Centrica courted more anger over its planned price hikes today Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Around 8.5 million households will be hit with a 6% rise in their energy bills today as British Gas hikes its tariffs.
There was mounting anger over the bill blow - first announced last month - after British Gas parent company Centrica said it was set to make profits of £1.4 billion this year.
Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at Consumer Focus, called for rules forcing energy firms to tell customers about the link between bill rises and profits.
She said: "Consumers will be sceptical over supplier profits, given questions over how justified recent price rises have been."
"It is essential that all energy firms are required to provide information that is fully clear and comparable, including profit and trading information from across the whole of their business, if customer distrust is to be tackled."
