British Gas customers face a 25% increase in their gas bills, as the company that supplies more than a quarter of the UK’s households attempts to pass on some of the cost of the recent leap in wholesale gas prices.

British Gas has 11m customers, who will see their bills rise by an extra £209 on average, taking the typical energy bill up to £1,030. It will be the third price rise in a year.

Since the start of 2004, gas prices have gone up by an average of 32% while electricity prices have gone up by an average of 24%. British Gas last increased its prices in September 2005 when they went up by 14.2% for both gas and electricity, adding £48.00 to an average annual bill.

Karen Darby, CEO of SimplySwitch.com said: “Last month, British Gas dropped its 2010 price protection tariff for new customers at a time when demand for capped and fixed products is at its peak. There are other capped and fixed options available and I would urge all consumers to sign up to one before they are withdrawn.”