E.On raises cost of energy bills

E.On has become the fourth of the big six energy companies to put up its gas and electricity prices. Its gas tariffs will rise by 18% from 13 September, while electricity bills will go up by 11%. Like the other firms, E.On blamed the increases on the 30% rise in wholesale energy prices this year. The government recently estimated that rising fuel prices meant a fifth of UK households now had to spend at least 10% of their incomes on keeping warm. "Uncertain times have had a huge effect on wholesale prices, with events in Japan and Libya all having a dramatic effect on gas and power prices in a relatively short period of time," said Graham Bartlett of E.On.