uSwitch: Energy bills could rise by 61 per cent

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uSwitch: Energy bills could rise by 61 per cent

Thu 19th Jun 2008

The average household energy bill could hit £1,467 this winter, uSwitch has warned.

Following Bank of England governor Mervyn King's open letter to the chancellor after inflation hit 3.3 per cent in May, the price comparison website noted that consumers are facing a hike of £555 in energy bills.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said the outlook was "grim" and that "the days of cheap energy are over".

She urged consumers to take immediate action to alleviate the impact of higher prices and recommended online energy plans for those prepared to pay less now and "take their chances" on the future market.

For those more vulnerable to price rises, fixed or capped price plans "could be a lifeline".

But she warned that the best fixed and capped deals are disappearing so consumers "need to act quickly".

Mr King blamed unforeseen hikes in food and fuel prices as the reason for the 16-year inflation high recorded last month.

In his annual Mansion House speech to City of London bankers, he said the rise in commodity prices could not cause sustained inflation in Britain "unless we allow it", adding ,"we will not".

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