British families’ energy bills have rocketed by a fifth and we’ve paid £4.6bn extra — as use is down by a fifth
Price rises by greedy energy firms have left Brits out of pocket by £4.6billion in the past ten years
FAMILIES are using a fifth less gas and electricity than a decade ago as they go green - but greedy energy firms have hiked bills so much that households are paying a fifth more.
Combined, Brits have paid £4.6billion over the odds for their energy bills over the last ten years, according to analysis of Government data.
Typical households are using 20 per cent less electricity and gas in 2017 compared to 2007 but are paying £178 more a year.
Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat’s leader, said: “These figures are completely baffling. Despite people reducing their energy usage significantly, they have been left out of pocket by £4.6billion.
“People shouldn’t be punished for using less, but instead due to the monopoly power of the Big Six they have been exploited with price rises. Even allowing for the need to invest more does not justify this massive differences. Consumers need to demand better from their energy companies.”
The £178 average increase equates to £4.6billion for UK households.
The so-called Big Six energy firms have all hiked their bills this year - some twice.
It means they are charging around £300 more than smaller firms who have broken into the market.
The average bill for the Big Six is now almost £1,200 after the hikes.
EDF for example hiked its prices in July for the SECOND time in three months - adding £70 to bills.
Around two million of its customers - those on standard tariffs - will be hit by the 6 per cent rise to gas and electricity bills from August 31. The typical family will pay £1,228.
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In April, the firm had hiked electricity prices by 2.7 per cent, increasing bills by £16 to £1,158.
E.On also raised bills twice. NPower now has the priciest standard tariff at £1,230.
The firms say wholesale prices are rising - and they need to pass on costs.
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