Residents across Shropshire are to receive another “hammer blow” as energy giant Scottish and Southern Energy hikes prices for electricity and gas by up to 30 per cent.

The company has announced it can no longer hold prices due to the global increase in the cost of oil and will be raising charges from Monday.

Bosses revealed the move in a letter to Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski.

They say energy prices are to go up by an average of 19.2 per cent for electricity and 29.2 per cent for gas.  

Mr Kawczynski said: “This is yet another hammer blow to already very hard stretched constituents who are facing staggering price increases for energy and all manner of daily goods.

“Obviously I am very concerned about this and am very much hoping and expecting that the Government will do something to reduce taxation to free up money for individual households because they are so stretched.

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“It is very important that we do not just stay with this company after the prices go up, it is important that we shop around.”

Ian Marchant, chief executive of SSE, said UK wholesale prices have risen by 50 per cent for electricity and 60 per cent for gas between February and July this year.

He said: “Unfortunately, this means we are no longer able to maintain our current energy prices.

“Prices will be held at the revised levels until at least the start of 2009 and will not apply to customers on the company’s social tariff until the end of the winter period, at the earliest.

“One of the most difficult problems we face is the identification of our most vulnerable customers, because we have no access to information concerning customers’ income levels or the energy efficiency of their homes.

“We try and find our most vulnerable customers through a variety of ways including through partnerships with third parties, such as charities, community groups and local politicians.” SSE supply brands include Scottish Hydro Electric; SWALEC; Atlantic Electric and Gas and Southern Electric.

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