Thursday 10 October 2013

Ed Miliband slams SSE's energy price rise

Ed Miliband seized on SSE’s energy price rise today as evidence of “the need to freeze energy bills”.

The Labour party leader made the comment in a tweet following the Big Six firm’s decision to raise household gas and electricity tariffs by an average of 8.2% from mid-November.

Mr Miliband pledged to freeze energy prices at his party's conference in Brighton last month if his party wins the next general election.

In another tweet he said: “We need an energy market which works for ordinary families and businesses”.

Lib Dem Energy Secretary Ed Davey commiserated with customers: "This is clearly unwelcome news for customers of SSE. People should take the opportunity now to make sure they are on the best deal available to them."

Consumer group Which? also wasn't impressed, calling it an "inflation-busting price rise". Executive Director Richard Lloyd said current plans to reform the energy market “don’t go far enough” and wants the Government to intervene and make sure everything possible is done “to keep prices in check”.

SSE’s decision will affect around 4.4 million electricity and 2.9 million gas customers, excluding those on fixed energy tariffs.