Gas bills hit 'ten-year high'

02 March 2010

The gap between wholesale gas prices and the cost to customers is increasing, it has been claimed.

A recent report by price comparison service moneysupermarket.com has revealed that gas bills are currently at a "ten year historic high" despite wholesale prices being 60 per cent lower than their 2008 peak.

As a result, gas suppliers' profit margins are at a six-year high, according to the research.

Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "Consumers will be shocked to see such a massive fall in wholesale gas prices compared with the tiny price drops they may have seen in their gas bills over the same period.

"Many may actually have seen gas prices rise last year. Energy companies will argue that domestic gas prices are decoupled from the wholesale price - this seems to be true when wholesale prices are falling but not when they are rising!"

Rising gas prices can be a significant concern for older people who use a larger portion of their income to heat their homes.

Those who have invested in property can use the value of their home to meet the rising demand of energy costs with a scheme such as equity release.