SSE defends energy price rise as Archbishop hits out at Big Six
ENERGY firm SSE last night defended its decision to raise prices, blaming wholesale prices and government policy for the hike.
Its remarks come after the Archbishop of Canterbury squared up to Britain’s energy companies over their plans to up fuel bills this winter.
Justin Welby, a former oil trader, said the so-called big six firms that provide most UK households with energy face a “huge moral issue” when deciding to impose price rises.
“The impact on people, particularly on low incomes, is going to be really severe in this, and the companies have to justify fully what they are doing,” he told the Mail on Sunday. “I do understand when people feel that this is inexplicable, and I can understand people being angry about it.” His comments follow SSE’s decision last week to charge customers 8.2 per cent more to heat homes this winter, followed by Centrica’s 9.2 per cent rise. SSE blamed supply costs and urged consumers to be more energy efficient.