'Poorer parts of UK paying more for energy'

Thursday, 10 November 2011 10:09

Families in the traditionally colder and poorer parts of the UK have to pay more for their gas and electricity than those in the ‘wealthier, warmer south’, a new study claims.

Energyhelpline.com’s nationwide survey found in some instances those in the North could be paying as much as £80 more for their fuel than those in parts of Southern England.

The postcode lottery revealed households in Merseyside and North Wales are paying the highest utility bills in the country at an average £1,373 a year.

This is £80 more than those in London and £79 more than those in Southern England.

Although the default supplier for gas for all regions is British Gas, families in the West Midlands were paying £813, compared to £773 in Scotland.

The cheapest electricity was available in Southern England at £486 a year, while the most expensive was in Merseyside and North Wales at £580.

Mark Todd, Director of Energyhelpline.com, said: “A variety of factors influence bills across the UK such as the weather, the default supplier for a particular region, local pricing policies, individual energy use, proximity to pipelines and transportation costs.

“Obviously, customers can’t control some of these variables but what they can do is look at how energy efficient their homes are and also seek out the best deals.”
 

Families rationing food to pay for energy

Households are being forced to cut back on their weekly food bills in order to meet the increased cost of gas and electricity this winter. According to new research by Confused.com, 43 per cent of people are rationing their everyday essentials so they can keep their homes heated.

Consumers missing out on energy price savings

Energy customers are missing out on huge savings on their bills by staying on standard tariffs, a new study has found. But with the inflationary pressures forcing up the prices of the big six energy companies, the research also claims that consumers must act fast to ensure they get the best deals.

Families turn to rationing to reduce energy bills

Households are turning to increasingly extreme measures in order to cut down on the rising costs of gas and electricity, a new survey has found. Confused.com found 52 per cent of people wear more clothes instead of turning heating on, 45 per cent avoid switching lights on and 14 per cent are sharing bath water.

Turn in early to reduce rising energy bills

Turning in early for a cosy evening in bed could provide a simple way of cutting down on soaring energy costs. Households are currently being bombarded with advice on how to make their homes more efficient this winter in order to minimise rising bills.

Northerners paying more for home energy

Households in the North of the UK are paying more for their domestic fuel than those in the South, according to a new survey from energyhelpline.com, which underlines the benefits of switching energy providers.

 

House Price Index

Energy Bill