Poorest families will be hit hardest by rising energy prices says Clegg

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 16th Jan 2008

Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat Leader

EDF Energy is putting up its electricity prices by 7.9% and gas prices by 12.9% this week. The firm blamed the rise on the "soaring cost" of wholesale energy, higher distribution costs and increased environmental obligations. EDF said the higher prices would add just under £2 a week to the typical dual fuel bill. The company is one of the UK's largest energy suppliers, providing electricity and gas to 5.5 million customers.

Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat Leader said "Yet again poor families will be hit by energy price rises they cannot afford, pushing yet more people into fuel poverty. Wholesale energy price rises always seem to lead to a price increase for the consumer, but cuts in the wholesale price seem to reach bill payers less often. These price rises could push up inflation, further hampering the Bank of England's ability to cut interest rates.