Consumers face 'postcode lottery' on utility costs
Published On 8 January 2008
Energy costs vary increasingly widely between different regions of the UK, according to a new report, indicating the presence of a 'postcode lottery' when it comes to household costs.Research carried out by Moneysupermarket has revealed that customers on Npower's Standard tariff in the north of England pay up to £93 more than those in Scotland.
Consumers in northern Scotland can expect to pay £1,010 for gas and electricity, compared to £1,104 in the north of England and £1,080 in Yorkshire and the Midlands.
Npower, one of the UK's largest energy suppliers, announced it would be increasing prices at the beginning of January and other providers are expected to follow suit.
Customers in London saw the biggest rise at 21.7 per cent. The north-west and east of England have also experience increases of around 20 per cent.
Paul Schofield from Moneysupermarket advised consumers to consider switching suppliers before other products become more expensive.
"Our table clearly shows why people should swap now," he said. "You don't wait in a rising market."
Announcing the price rises, Npower said that the increased wholesale costs of both gas and electricity has prompted the move.
