We are committed to keeping Britain warmer this winter

Millions of British Gas customers may be changing suppliers soon to get a cheaper deal after the energy giant increased electricity prices by 10.6 per cent and gas prices by 8.4 per cent.

Ministers reacted angrily yesterday to the rise, which came days after Scottish & Southern Energy increased its prices by 8.2 per cent.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who led the chorus of disapproval, has declared to be very disappointed by British Gas rises.

However, shadow energy minister Tom Greatrex said: “Britain’s energy market is broken and people are paying the price for this Government’s failure to stand up to the energy companies”.

British Gas website’s visitors can read the unexpected heading: “We’re committed to keeping Britain warmer this winter”, which sounds contradictory, as the average cost for dual-fuel customers would leap by £123 to £1,444 a year. It will force thousands of families to switch off the heating and reduce their electricity consumption.

Ian Peters, managing director of British Gas, insisted that the rise, which comes into force on November 23,  is due to the increasing cost of gas, rising charges for using the national grid that delivers it around the country and cost of government programmes.