Scottish Power to push up bills for 960,000 households by £63 a year from June
The energy firm is pushing up bills by 5.5 per cent from June 1 - adding £63 a year to gas and electricity costs
HUNDREDS of thousands of Scottish Power customers will pay £63 more a year from next month as the energy giant pushes up bills by 5.5 per cent.
The firm today announced that bills will increase for 960,000 customers from June 1.
Scottish Power blamed the hike on rising wholesale costs, as well as government-led energy efficiency measures and the cost of upgrading smart meters.
The energy firm, which has 3million customers, said that two-thirds of households would be unaffected by the rise.
Neil Clitheroe, from Scottish Power said: “Unfortunately our standard variable prices are increasing.
How to switch suppliers and save £300
SWITCHING suppliers is the best way you can cut your energy bills. But recent research from MoneySuperMarket found that households are throwing away up to £300 a year by not bothering. Here's what you need to do.
1. Shop around - If you're on an expensive Standard Variable Tariff (SVT) deal you are throwing away up to £300 a year. Use a comparison site like MoneySuperMarket.com or EnergyHelpline.com to see what best deals are available to you.
The cheapest deals are usually found online and are fixed deals - meaning you'll pay a fixed amount usually for 12 months.
2. Switch - When you've found one, all you have to do is contact the new supplier.
It helps to have the following information to hand - which you can find on your bill - to give the new supplier:
- Your postcode
- Name of your existing supplier
- Name of your existing deal and how much you pay
- An up-to-date meter reading
It will then notify your current supplier and begin the switch.
It should take no longer than three weeks to complete the switch and your supply won't be interrupted in that time.
For more advice read our guide on how to switch.
"This reflects rising wholesale energy costs and compulsory non-energy costs. Two-thirds of our customers are unaffected.
"We will be contacting all customers affected by the price change to give them the opportunity to move to a fixed price tariff alternative and avoid this increase.”
A new report today revealed that thousands of British households went without gas or electricity in the last year because they couldn't afford it.
The research by Citizens Advice said that these customers choose between eating or heating their homes, as many were unable to top up electricity meters.
Its not the only firm to push up costs. Last week, EDF announced a 1.4 per cent rise - adding £16 a year - from June.
MORE ON ENERGY BILLS
Earlier this month, British Gas announced a rise for 4.1million customers.
It came on the same day that the National Grid, operator of the UK's gas pipeline network, issued a "gas deficit warning" as intense demand from households outstrips supply.
Stephen Murray, energy expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Unsurprisingly, we’re into the domino effect with energy price rises and the only surprise here is that’s it’s been over a week since the last price rise, from EDF.
“It’s probably the last thing people are thinking about during this mini heatwave we’re enjoying, but we’d encourage you to take action today to stop yourself paying some of the highest prices in the UK energy market."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 78 24516. Don't forget to join the for the latest bargains and money-saving advice.