Centrica has announced it will raise its gas prices by 35%, along with its electricity prices which will rise by as much as 9%. Centrica is the parent company of British Gas and is the largest supplier for domestic energy in the United Kingdom.

Today’s price rises are expected to affect millions of customers across the U.K, adding to the consequences of rising fuel prices. British Gas prices also rose 5% in January in an unpopular move against its U.K customers.

Today’s gas price rises have been blamed on rising world energy prices due to global demand, and diminishing U.K gas reserves, but with oil prices finally starting to fall, Energy Watch have labeled the link absurd.

Centrica also added that it was currently selling energy at a loss due to an extra £2 billion in costs. Wholesale gas prices for the coming winter are said to have been 89% ahead of last years.

EDF Energy have also recently announced price rises, with its gas going up by as much as 22%, and electricity rising by around 17%.

The Watchdog “Energywatch” believes that the 35% gas bill increase is the biggest single rise in the price of a utility ever seen.

Vulnerable customers are likely to have the price rises delayed until after the winter. British Gas also plan to educate customers on energy efficiency, to help minimise the effects of price rises.

The announced gas price rises may persuade some customers to research the feasibility of home renewable energy devices such as solar panels, or home wind turbines.