It's cold. Switch off the heating!

British Gas, the country’s biggest power suppliers is putting up its gas and electricity tariffs to record levels.

Managing director of British Gas Phil Bentley last week announced the company will increase its gas and electricity prices by six per cent.

The big supplier, which has about 16 million domestic customers, said it is forced into the move by rising wholesale energy costs. In fact, the price British Gas has had to pay for gas before the winter is about 15 per cent higher than last year.

Mr Bentley said:”For every £1 of energy we sell, only 5p of it is our profit. You name me another industry with margins that low”.

According to Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch the pressure of an extra £100 or so on energy bills will force many households to face another winter when they are scared to turn on heating for fear of the cost.

While the boss of British Gas assured that there will be a special Warm House discount for those who are really struggling, consumer groups warned that the energy giant is almost certain to be followed by its rivals, including Scottish Hydro, Swalec and Southern Electric.

Energy secretary Ed Davey declared:”The fact is that no government can control world energy prices, but we are acting to help people cut the size of the bills they actually pay.

“That’s why we encourage households to switch to better deals. It’s also why we want to help them take advantage of insulation offers, so their homes are warmer for less”.

Meanwhile Prime Minister David Cameron has announced that energy companies will be forced by law to offer customers the lowest tariff available.