Npower’s dual-fuel bill to go up 10.4%

NpowerNpower, power sector firm in the UK, has become the third firm in the industry to announce an increase its tariffs adding pressure on the households in the UK.

The company said that tariffs will rise 10.4 per cent for its dual-fuel bill and that the rise will take into effect on 1 December, 2013. The rise of 10.4 per cent is the highest announced by any power suppliers in the UK yet. SSE will increase prices by 8.2% from 15 November and British Gas said that tis prices will be increased by 9.2 per cent on 23 November. The Co-Operative will increase prices by an average 4.5 per cent from January for existing users.

Paul Massara, chief executive of Npower said, "I know that any increases to household bills are always unwelcome, and this is not a decision that we have taken lightly. We will continue to take steps where we can to reduce the impact of the external influences on energy bills."

Npower has said that the price rise is due to increasing costs of delivery and fulfilling government schemes and raw materials. According to estimates, the value of energy bills has risen to twice their levels since 2000. Data showed that households last year spent an average of £1,339 on gas and electricity compared to £710 during the year 2010 Power companies have been criticised for charging massive amounts to increase profits while households struggled to pay bills.