Consumers 'could switch gas provider' following price hike - 29/10/2010
Consumers hoping to find the best deals could be inclined to switch energy provider following the news from Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) that it is to increase its gas prices.
The company has confirmed that as of December 1st 2010, its prices for household gas will increase by 9.4 per cent.
SSE said that since its last price change in March 2010, it has offered cheap gas at a rate below the average for the big six suppliers.
During this period, the gas supply business has been making a loss, the company said.
Alistair Phillips-Davies, energy supply director at the company, said he was "sorry" that the price change is going to take effect during the winter months.
"The last few months have been marked by rising wholesale gas prices and, having absorbed losses in our gas supply business for some time, we cannot delay an increase in retail prices any longer," he said.
Dow Jones Newswires notes that the company is the first of the big six suppliers to propose a price increase based on wholesale prices since 2008.
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