Braintree district: MP criticises energy price hike (From Essex County Standard)
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Braintree district: MP criticises energy price hike
12:00pm Sunday 14th October 2012 in News
British Gas is increasing prices by six per cent
An MP is calling on regulators to do more to prevent fuel poverty after two major companies announced major gas and electricity prise rises.
Both British Gas and Npower announced this week they would be raising their charges across the UK.
Npower will increase gas prices by an average 8.8% and electricity by an average 9.1%, while British Gas will raise its rates for both by around 6%.
Braintree MP Brooks Newmark said: "I am disappointed to hear that the energy companies have once again increased prices significantly above inflation.
"Fuel poverty is a big issue especially amongst the elderly and those who live in our rural communities.
"In the meantime the energy companies are making millions pounds in profits.
"I will be writing energy regulator to ask why they have allowed energy providers to increase prices so much in these tough economic times."
Paul Massara, Npower's chief commercial officer, said: “There is never a good time to increase energy bills, particularly when so many people are working hard to make ends meet.
"But the costs of new statutory schemes, increases in distribution charges and the price of gas for the coming winter are all being driven up by external factors, for example government policy.
"Although we have managed to smooth out the worst fluctuations and protect our customers for as long as we can, we are now having to pass on some of these costs.”
