Scottish and Southern warn it is likely to increase prices.

Ypaymore

"UK utility firm Scottish & Southern has warned customers it is likely to increase electricity and gas prices."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7522971.stm

Theo_Cupier

The same item in the Guardian had a slightly different, almost optimistic, slant.

Gave me the impression they we intent on holding off with any price rise as long as possible and would make it a realistic rise, based on the fact that oil is coming down again.

I've always had the impression SS were reasonably consumer friendly. They seem to be building a reputation of leaving the price rises late and making them relatively small compared to competitors.

Cardew

Theo_Cupier wrote: »

Gave me the impression they we intent on holding off with any price rise as long as possible and would make it a realistic rise, based on the fact that oil is coming down again.

I've always had the impression SS were reasonably consumer friendly. They seem to be building a reputation of leaving the price rises late and making them relatively small compared to competitors.

The reason most companies delay their rise until after their competitors is because that means that the attract lots of naive customers who go to them because they are cheaper. Obviously they don't appreciate that the price advantage is temporary.

BG always led the 'price round' of increases and suffered for doing so. Last time they delayed their increase.

tghe-retford

I am reading through the articles I found through Google News one expert has said they hope we get gradual increases through the winter and hopefully not one big increase, and that any increase from SSE will be around at least 20%. Wholesale oil prices have increased by 60% and SSE has announced a profits warning.

Another analyst warned that even with lower oil prices at the moment, unless they drop and stay below $100 a barrel, sharp, significant and punishing price increases are inevitable because the current prices we pay for energy cannot be sustained by a mile.

Lets hope the oil price bubble has burst and it keeps going down, because if it stalls or even goes up again, things could get nasty for millions this winter, especially if it is a cold one.