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ScottishPower hikes energy prices

Your Money
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Your Money
Posted:
Updated:
04/02/2008

ScottishPower has released new energy prices for domestic customers as a result of continued increases to input costs, including coal and wholesale gas.

From 2 February, the average customer will see a Dual Fuel increase of 14.8%.  Electricity prices will rise by an average of 14% across the UK and gas prices will rise by 15%.

Willie MacDiarmid, ScottishPower’s director of energy retail, said: “We have worked hard to protect our customers from these increases for as long as possible and offer consistently competitive energy prices. Our input costs are now at record levels, having increased by up to 97% since February 2007. Like other energy providers, we are now forced to pass on some of these higher costs.”

Scott Byrom, utilities manager at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: “This move from ScottishPower will have the greatest negative impact on customers in southern Scotland, north Wales and parts of north-west England.

“Scottish Power has 1.86 million customers there – the bulk of whom are on its standard tariff. The argument to change to an online monthly direct debit tariff now is stronger than ever.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: “The announcement will come as no surprise to consumers – a price hike was inevitable from the day that other suppliers put their prices up.

“Following the move, ScottishPower is going to offer better value for those who like to pay by monthly direct debit or who can move online. Those looking to minimise the impact of higher energy costs on their household budget should seriously consider taking the following steps: move to dual fuel, pay by direct debit and go online.

“We have now seen all but  two suppliers increase prices with an assurance from Scottish and Southern Energy that it will not put its prices up until at least the end of March. With savings of up to £325 to be made – now is the time for consumers to put some competition back into the market.”
 


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