The UK’s biggest energy supplier blamed the hike on rising wholesale gas and electricity prices, and government policies such as renewable energy subsidies, which are paid through energy bills. “We are disappointed by British Gas’s announcement of an unjustified price rise in its default tariff when customers are already paying more than they need to,” she said. British Gas blamed higher energy costs, government policies to reduce carbon emissions and the £11bn smart meter programme for the rise. Between August 2017 and February 2018, costs facing energy suppliers rose 7.9% primarily because of higher wholesale costs, according to Ofgem. The Guardian reported in February that a new round of price increases was on the way, after smaller energy suppliers began raising tariffs.

Source: The Guardian April 10, 2018 09:18 UTC