SSE retail boss blames Government for energy price rise Mr Morris also criticised policymakers, who he said had "failed to highlight adequately the cost to consumers" of their proposals to shift to greener energy. "They can't expect to have power stations replaced with new technologies, the network to be upgraded and nationwide energy efficiency schemes all to be funded for free," he said. The energy company also blamed higher wholesale energy prices in global markets and increased costs of delivering the energy to customers' homes. Michael Fallon, the energy minister, urged people facing 8pc hikes in their bills to look for cheaper deals. He told ITV1's Daybreak: "The best answer here is more competition. I would encourage customers to look at the tariffs they are on, and see if they can switch. That competition is the best. SSE's announcement comes a year after the last set of gas and electricity price rises. Between October and December 2012, the six major energy suppliers outlined price increases of between 6pc and 10.8pc. The price rises prompted Labour leader Ed Miliband to promise a 20-month freeze on energy prizes if he won the next election. Responding to SSE's announcement this morning, Mr Miliband tweeted that the price rises showed "the need to freeze bills." SSE's price hike, which is three times the rate of inflation, will come into effect from November 15. SSE were not alone in blaming the government for their price hike, as small energy provider Ebico also announced on Thursday that it would be raising energy prices, affecting its 50,000 customers. The energy provider said that while it supported government's policies for investment in energy efficiency programmes and low-carbon energy, "they do come with a cost." Ebico's average gas price will rise 10pc, while electricity will increase 9pc and will also take effect from November 15. "The need for investment in electricity and gas networks means that the cost of using them has increased, whilst the cost of energy efficiency programmes and support for low-carbon energy has also risen," Ebico said in a statement. Whilst we support the aims of these government-imposed initiatives, they do come with a cost. SSE is the first of the Big Six energy providers to announce a price hike this year, and speculation is growing that British Gas will be the next to announce its plan, which could be as early as Friday. If so, the order would mirror that of last year, when SSE announced their price hike first, followed by British Gas and nPower on the same day, Scottish Power a few days later, then EDF Energy and E.On.