October 2012
Featured in this insight: Electricity, Financial services, Gas
Market research reveals East West divide in energy costs: The Quarterly Price Survey (QPS) by independent price comparison service Energyhelpline.com has uncovered the worrying fact that the poorest areas in the UK are paying the highest prices for gas and electricity across the nation.
According to the latest National Well Being report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Wales has 20% of households currently living in poverty.
Nevertheless, energy customers in this region are paying an average of £1,373 for a dual fuel bill – this represents a massive £80 more than their wealthier counterparts in London, who generally pay £1,293.
The study further revealed that consumers who switch energy suppliers using comparison websites could save up to £331 on their fuel bills per year.
Director of Energyhelpline.com, Mark Todd, commented on the findings: “It’s a harsh reality that the areas in the UK with the highest poverty rates are also being hit with the highest energy bills. The areas that most need cheap energy are ending up paying the most.”
He added: “We are now seeing a clearer East – West split on energy bills than we have ever before. Western parts of the UK are generally paying the most and Eastern parts the least. As most gas enters the UK from the East and as many power stations are also located in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire… then transportation costs could be driving this.”
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