Record rise in gas prices hitting consumers hard

12.00.00am GMT Tue 16th Jan 2007

Susan Kramer, Lib Dem MP for Richmond, says record fuel bills will spell misery for millions

Commenting on the inflation announcement today, which shows that gas price rises are at their highest level ever at 31.9%, Liberal Democrat Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, Susan Kramer (Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park) said:

"These record fuel bills will spell misery for millions of the poorest families in Britain .

"Such a large increase is shocking. The effect of this increase, compounded by increases of the cost of electricity of 21.7%, will push many more households into fuel poverty.

"Energy companies are keen to push consumer prices up quickly but reluctant to lower them when wholesale prices fall. This behaviour needs investigating across the entire energy industry."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The increase in gas prices of 31.9% and electricity prices of 21.7% is set out on page 27 of the ONS announcement today, which can be found at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/cpibrief0107.pdf