Warnings over a “long, cold winter” for the elderly and hard-up grew last Thursday after Britain’s biggest energy supplier hiked electricity and gas tariffs by an average of six per cent.

With food bills rising and many people also facing higher mortgage costs, British Gas added to the pressure on households by putting an extra £80 on to its typical annual dual fuel bill.

A total of 8.5 million households will be affected from November 16, a move which British Gas said was due to rising costs largely outside its control.

However, the pre-winter increase comes months after parent company Centrica posted a 23 per cent rise in half-year profits at its residential arm to £345 million (€427 million).

Unions and consumer groups attacked British Gas and called on the Government to take urgent action to tackle rising fuel prices.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “With winter approaching, low-waged people will now be terrified about how they are going to find another £80.

“Money from the poor is going to the pockets of Centrica shareholders. This is further shameful abuse by out of control, greedy fuel companies, sitting on piles of profit.”

Consumer Focus recently said six million households in England were planning to cut back on their heating this winter because of cost worries.

It has encouraged customers “to do what they can” to cut their bills by switching tariff, payment method and supplier.

Its director of energy Audrey Gallacher said no-one has managed to convince consumers of the necessity for price rises in the context of wholesale prices and company profits.

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