Scottish Gas and npower confirm fuel bills to rise MILLIONS of Scots face a winter of rising fuel bills, as two of the UK's largest energy suppliers confirmed that they are to increase gas and electricity charges. 6% Scottish Gas increase will come into effect next month npower prices will increase by an average of 8.8% for gas and 9.1% for electricity from next month also Annual dual fuel bill for British Gas customers with average consumption will increase by around £80 to £1,238 Profits up at Centrica-owned firm by 23% this year Energy company npower announced today that prices will increase by an average 8.8% for gas and 9.1% for electricity from November 26 while British Gas announced this morning that prices would rise by 6% A total of 8.5 million British Gas households will be hit by the move, although another one million of the firm's customers on fixed price contracts will be unaffected. British Gas managing director Phil Bentley said rising costs, that are largely outside its control but which make up most tariffs, were to blame. Mr Bentley said: "Britain's North Sea gas supplies are running out, and British Gas has to pay the going rate for gas in a competitive global marketplace. "Furthermore, the investment needed to maintain and upgrade the national grid to deliver energy to our customers" homes, and the costs of the Government's policies for a clean, energy-efficient Britain, are all going up." Reports of the looming price rise yesterday triggered stinging criticism, particularly after the company's first-half profits rose 15 per cent to £1.45 billion. Financial squeeze Consumer groups have warned Scottish Gas's 6 per cent price hikes will throw households" already stretched budgets into "turmoil." They say it is the lastest blow for families already squeezed by increased mortgage costs after a string of lenders increased their standard variable rates (SVRs) in recent months, affecting more than a million home owners. Santander's hike to its SVR last week meant a few hundred thousand of its customers saw an average increase of £26 a month for a £100,000 mortgage. Food prices have also been predicted to rise following poor harvests due to the wet British weather. Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy said: "Many British Gas customers will find the possibility of a price rise really frightening. Bill increases throw already stretched budgets into turmoil - with people forced to find more ways to scrimp and save. But there are things that people can do to save money on their fuel bills. Profits Tom Greatrex, Scottish Labour energy spokesman, said: "People will not understand why Scottish Gas are putting prices up, despite their interim financial report showing pro­fits on UK residential customers being up by 23 per cent, compared to the same period last year." A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "The Scottish Government is well aware that energy price rises have an extremely damaging effect on the finances of Scottish households.