Energy provider E.On is to increase gas prices by 15% and electricity prices by 9.7%, with effect from 8th February. The company is the latest of the big utility companies to increase their prices. It has blamed a 60% increase in wholesale prices since February for the price rise. But 670,000 vulnerable customers will have the increase delayed until 1st April, said the company formerly known as Powergen. The German-owned energy giant is the fifth big energy provider to announce double-digit rises, after similar moves in recent weeks by British Gas, Npower, EDF and Scottish Power.  Graham Bartlett, managing director of E.On Energy, said: “We realise the impact this price increase will have on our customers and we’re doing everything we can to minimise this. “Our announcement has been made in response to sustained pressures from the wholesale market. “We are offering a new product to allow more customers to join the half a million already benefiting from protected prices, while also helping those customers who are most in need.”

Big Six

The industry is dominated by the ‘big six’ energy providers.

• Rivals British Gas - the UK’s biggest power provider - increased gas and electricity prices by 15% in January.
• In the same month, Npower raised its electricity prices by 12.7% and its gas prices by 17.2%
• EDF Energy also put up its electricity tariffs by 7.9% and gas bills by 12.9%.
• Most recently, Scottish Power increased gas bills by 15% and electricity bills by 14%.
• E.On is to increase gas prices by 15% and electricity prices by 9.7%, with effect from 8th February.