Npower to raise energy prices for 1m by 5.3%

ABOUT a million Npower customers face an inflationbusting rise in energy costs.

A 5.3 per cent increase in dual fuel prices from June 17 announced yesterday will add an average of £64 a year to bills. It follows rises by four of its Big Six rivals.

Npower’s increase is roughly on a par with British Gas’s 5.5 per cent hike from May 9 but is far higher than the 1.4 per cent rise announced by EDF.

Scottish Power and E.On have also increased bills, leaving SSE the only major supplier not to have put up prices this year.

Npower blamed increases in wholesale energy costs and Government policies on emissions and smart meters.

But consumer campaigners criticised the German-owned firm for charging customers the most expensive tariffs on the market before the increase. They said households could save up to £370 a year if they switched provider.