How energy prices have risen over the past year

Here’s the graph that shows how the big six have raised energy prices in the past year

More than three million British Gas customers will see bills rise as a result of a 12.5pc rise in electricity prices imposed by the supplier from 15 September. The move, British Gas’s first price increase since November 2013, means the average “dual fuel” bill for a household on its standard variable tariff will rise £76 to £1,120.

Britain’s largest energy firm is the last of the “big six” providers to announce an increase in prices this year. Its rise, by 7.3pc, is the second lowest increase in percentage terms after SSE. Its standard variable tariff rose 6.9pc in April, up £73 to £1,129.

The chart below shows how each of the big six have raised prices this year using data from uSwitch, the price comparison site.

Claire Osborne, of uSwitch, the comparison site, is highly critical of the increases. “At a time when living costs are rising faster than wages, this hike could push many families into the red. Customers should not be lulled into a false sense of security. The British Gas standard tariff remains the cheapest among the big six but it is still £286 more expensive that the cheapest deal on the market today,” she said.

Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, said it was a “difficult decision” to raise electricity prices.

News Source: The Telegraph