SSE hits 2.4 million customers with gas and electricity bill hike

Households to see average £76 jump in energy costs as company becomes latest of big six to raise tariffs

The hike from SSE comes after Npower, EDF, British Gas and ScottishPower all raised prices (Getty)

SSE will hit around 2.4 million customers with energy bill hikes in July, making it the latest big supplier to raise gas and electricity prices.

Households supplied by the company will see bills rise by an average of £76 per year, or 6.7 per cent for those on a dual fuel tariff.

Gas prices will jump 5.7 per cent while electricity will increase by 7.7 per cent on 11 July.

This will equate to an average rise of around £1.50 a week for customers buying both gas and electricity.

The increases are significantly above both inflation and the pace of wage growth, meaning a further squeeze for households.

Stephen Forbes, chief commercial officer of SSE Energy Services, said: “We deeply regret having to raise prices and have worked hard to withstand the increasing costs that are largely outside our control by reducing our own internal costs.

“However, as we’ve seen with recent adjustments to Ofgem’s price caps, the cost of supplying energy is increasing and this ultimately impacts the prices we’re able to offer customers.”

The move from SSE comes after all the other five of the big six suppliers increased prices in recent months.

Npower announced in April that it would increase the cost of its average energy bill by 5.3 per cent,

That came after Labour’s shadow cabinet office minister, Jon Trickett, accused British Gas of delivering a “slap in the face” to customers with its own 5.5 per cent hike.

Earlier this month, E.On reported a 41 per cent rise in profits, just weeks after slapping households with price rises.

In total, around nine million households will see bills rise over the summer, with the average dual fuel tariff now costing £100 per month, according to Money Saving Expert (MSE).

MSE founder Martin Lewis accused the big energy firms of acting like sheep by all raising prices in quick succession.

“Npower is the worst offender, charging someone with typical use £1,230 a year – well over £100 a month,” Mr Lewis said.

“Eon has the least-worst of the big six standard tariffs at £1,153. Yet even that is massively over the odds.

“Anyone on a big six standard tariff is ripping themselves off by failing to take action. Do-nothings pay massively more than the do-somethings.

“Switch firm and you could cut bills to almost £800 a year, even with the same usage.

“And even if for some reason you’re loyal to your current provider, almost all big six suppliers have alternative tariffs over £100 a year cheaper than their standard deals. However, they operate ‘don’t ask, don’t get’ policies. So at the very least, ask!”