Sheffield residents angry over heating bill rise - 23/03/2012
Individuals in Sheffield who have their home's warmth supplied by a district heating system have reacted angrily to the news they will not be seeing cheap energy bills this year.
Local publication the Star reports hundreds of people living in former council homes will see their expenses increase by up to 75 per cent in some cases.
Residents added the first they knew of the changes was when bills arrived on their doormats this week.
Sheffield Council said a "dramatic hike" in costs is behind the new rates for the network, which links properties to a communal boiler run by the local authority.
Local resident Sallyanne Lomas, who will see the amount she pays for heating rise from £672 in 2011 to £972 this year, said the new bills are "extortionate".
She added: "I can understand the cost of fuel has risen and if it was a couple of pounds more, even £10 a month, that would be fine. But nearly £30 a month is ridiculous."
This month, Ovo Energy became the first gas and electricity supplier this year to announce an increase in its standard tariffs as a result of higher wholesale costs.
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