The announcement by Scottish power that it is putting up its energy prices next month has been described as ‘a brutal assault’ on consumers from a company that has just posted a record profit.

The firm said its gas bills were to increase by an average 17%, while electricity would rise 10%. The Glasgow-based company blamed rising wholesale costs for the hike.

But Energywatch Scotland spokesperson Graeme Kerr said: “Scottish Power customers will find it hard to understand why a company that has just posted record profits needs to raise cash on such a huge scale.

“Customers who take both gas and electricity from Scottish Power will be paying, on average, £131 more a year as of next month.”