LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 10/15/12 — Britain–s biggest energy supplier, British Gas, has announced plans to raise gas and on November 16, 2012.
British Gas customers are being notified about the change in their bills, which will be an average increase of 6%. This means annual dual fuel bills will see a rise of around GBP 80 a year, depending on consumption.
Why prices are rising
Rising wholesale , the upgrading of the national grid and ensuring Government policies for a more green Britain are just three of the reasons why have had to raise their prices.
Together, these have added around GBP 50 to the cost of supplying the average customer–s home this year, and are expected to add nearly GBP 60 to the cost of supplying the average customer–s home next year.
British Gas Managing Director, Phil Bentley, said the company acknowledged that the GBP 1.50 per week rise would put tight household budgets under further pressure and that the rise would be unwelcome, however he explained that rising costs outside the businesses control had meant a change had to be made.
“Britain–s North Sea gas supplies are running out and British Gas has to pay the going rate for gas in a competitive global marketplace. Furthermore, the investment needed to maintain and upgrade the national grid to deliver energy to our customers– homes, and the costs of the Government–s policies for a clean, energy efficient Britain are all going up.
“We need an energy efficiency culture in Britain today; rising prices don–t have to mean rising bills. We are offering a huge amount of help to customers to help them cut the amount of energy they use and keep their bills under control.”
Help available
Despite British Gas making every effort to reduce its own operating costs, while upholding high standards of customer service; around 85% of costs behind the average dual fuel bill are largely beyond the company–s control.
Providing extra help for customers who are poor, elderly and most in need has seen British Gas set the broadest criteria of any major supplier to help as many customers as possible qualify for the Government–s Warm Home Discount, a credit of GBP 130 towards winter electricity costs, which will be paid by April 2013.
A range of energy efficiency measures made available to customers has also meant those taking advantage of these offers have seen their gas consumption drop by as much as 40%.
British Gas knows that this is a difficult time for customers, which is why it is increasing its help for customers to keep bills down as much as possible with initiatives including.
Contacts:
British Gas press office:
0800 107 7015