Energy has had a difficult start to the New Year. Mammoth gas and electricity price rises, the latest figures on fuel poverty and controversial Government proposals for nuclear power has turned the heat up big time. But who will foot the bill? According to last Sunday’s Observer, British Gas raising its prices will take customers’ total spending on heating and lighting to more than £1,050 per year - adding £1bn to British Gas coffers this year. Consumer groups are now calling for a ‘collusion’ investigation. The war is on. Industry regulator Ofgem has challenged Npower, British Gas and EDF’s calculations about their estimated wholesale price rises: (66%, 51% and 117% respectively). Not true, Ofgem protests. In fact according to them, wholesale gas prices have risen by 31%, electricity by 40%, and in the last three weeks oil and wholesale gas prices have been falling. So what is going on?
