Energy price rises four times a year

MOST households are likely to face even higher gas and electricity bills this winter after the energy watchdog “kowtowed” to the big firms, experts warned last night.

- Michael Knowles

They spoke out after Ofgem revealed it was considering reviewing the price cap - which regulates bills for 23 million households - every three months instead of six. Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem's chief executive, admitted that the changes could result in people seeing their energy bills raised four times in a year.

But Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis said the move would "effectively” prevent energy companies from slashing prices when wholesale costs fall.

And he warned that switching to reviewing prices every three months was exactly what the big energy firms wanted.

He said: “Item after item of the changes that are being made are absolutely kowtowing to the lobbying of the industry. And every mitigating factor I and other campaigners had put in has been simply ignored.

“Institutionally, it is a disgrace. They are selling consumers down the river.

"I'm calling on politicians of all parties, do not let the regulator do this.