Energy bills to cost consumers extra £920m

Energy price hikes will add £920 million to household energy bills in the UK. 

Research by uSwitch.com has discovered hard-pressed consumers will see their tariffs rise in the new year by an average of 6.8 per cent after E.ON became the last of the big six to confirm a hike in the cost of fuel. 

The typical energy bill is now £1,445 and those with little disposable cash may find such a sum pushes them over the edge in terms of debt. 

When the figures are looked at over a ten-year period, it means consumers are now paying £890 more over a 12-month period than they did a decade ago.

With previous research by the body finding 78 per cent of households will ration their energy usage through the winter months, it is clear people have concerns about how much it will cost to keep their home warm.

However, the government has indicated the expense associated with green levies will be reduced in order to ease the pressure of households. 

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: "This round of price hikes has added to the burden for consumers struggling to afford to stay warm. The government has tried to lend a hand, but suppliers now have to play their part too. 

"They must do the right thing by passing the cuts on to their customers … so that households can feel the benefit throughout winter. Suppliers that are unable to provide this much-needed relief this year should backdate it so that customers don't lose out."

She added consumers have a role to play too, as they need to make sure they are on the cheapest tariff possible. Once the new energy bills have been calculated, EDF Energy comes in at the cheapest (£1,384), followed by E.ON (£1,385) and SSE (£1,410).

By Joe White