43 ENERGY PRICE HIKES SINCE XMAS

Up to £300 a year extra on bills

HOUSEHOLDS are being battered by energy firms – with 43 price rises so far in 2018.

That is over one per week – an eye-watering £840million-a-year.

The hikes announced so far will affect 12million households by an average of 7% (or £70) each.

But regional differences mean some customers face double the hike, with one firm increasing costs between £59 and £120 a year depending on where people live, according to price comparison site uSwitch.

British Gas price rises have affected the most individual customers and, among the socalled Big Six firms, ScottishPower has increased prices the most (£109).

But the non-Big Six company Economy Energy has raised bills by a huge £311.

The smallest overall increase this year was from nPower in London and the north-east of England at £56. uSwitch claims Brits can save almost £500 by switching their supplier.

Energy expert Rik Smith said: “Rising wholesale costs have put serious pressure on energy companies in 2018, and they have responded by raising the price of their standard variable tariffs at the recordbreaking rate of more than one a week.

“But many households have refused to take this lying down. Over three million have switched supplier already this year and saved up to £482 in the process.

“With no end in sight to increases in the cost of gas and electricity, now is the time to secure a better deal.

“The Government’s proposed cap on standard energy tariffs is expected to be in place by the end of December 2018, but households stand to gain more by switching away from these poor value plans than relying on the cap.”

The Star Says: Page 6