Government blamed for energy prices
Updated on 22 August 2008
Nearly half of Britons blame the Government for rising energy bills, while others point the finger at the energy companies themselves, a survey showed.
Around 46% of people attribute their rising gas and electricity bills to increases in fuel duty and VAT made by successive Governments, with 38% singling the current Labour Government out for blame, according to Saga Home Insurance.
But 44% of those questioned said they thought the UK energy companies were responsible for the steep hikes in the cost of power, and 40% attributed the rises to excessive global consumption.
Countries that export petrol were blamed by 37% of people for the rising energy bills they face, while 35% thought increased costs were due to declining supplies.
Other factors that people thought were contributing to the hikes included demand for energy from emerging markets, conflict in the Middle East and the war in Iraq.
The research comes the day after E.ON and Scottish and Southern Energy joined British Gas and EDF in announcing a second massive bill hike this year due to soaring wholesale costs.
Scottish & Southern Energy is raising gas prices by 29.2% and average electricity costs by 19.2%, while E.ON unveiled rises of 26% and 16% in gas and electricity prices respectively.
Andrew Goodsell, chief executive of Saga, said: "Whatever the reason for rising energy prices, consumers face an expensive winter."
Opinium Research questioned 2,209 people during July.
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