Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) has announced an increase in its electricity and gas prices of 11% and 18%, edging millions of households closer to fuel poverty. It is the third price rise from one of the "Big Six" – SSE, British Gas, EDF, E.ON, npower and Scottish Power – in less than two months, and will take the typical dual fuel bill from £1,094 to £1,265 per year.
The increases, to be introduced on 14 September, will affect around 5.2 million electricity customers and 3.6 million gas customers across the UK.
The SSE announcement comes less than two weeks after British Gas stunned households by announcing a rise in electricity and gas prices of 16% and 18%, just eight months after it raised its prices by 7%, and Scottish Power's early-June announcement of a 10% rise in electricity prices and 19% rise in gas prices.
Ann Robinson of uSwitch.com said:
"Despite household energy bills having rocketed by almost £500 or 71% in just over five years, consumers are still being asked to pay more. Household finances are creaking under the weight of price hikes, but the biggest concern in this has to be the impact on fuel poverty."
"There is no room for complacency and I would urge consumers to act now to ensure they are paying the lowest possible price for their household energy and to reduce the amount they use."
