British Gas customers ‘set to feel price hike pain’

Customers of British Gas will start to feel the effects of new price tariffs from this Friday (November 16th), when hikes kick in.

The six per cent rise in gas and electricity will increase bills by £76 a year, uSwitch has said, with the average household dual fuel bill rising from £1,260 a year to £1,336.

Such a hike may cause major problems for those who are already struggling to find the cash to pay off debt while making ends meet.

Director of policy at uSwitch Ann Robinson said: "The timing could not be worse – as winter makes its presence known, the cost of heating our homes will be taking its toll on cash-strapped consumers."

She noted research by the site found 87 per cent of customers will ration their energy use this winter.

While consumers struggle to meet rising bills, a recent survey by Go Compare found 55 per cent of customers are in fact owed money by their provider, with many paying too much because of confusing tarrifs.

By James Francis