NEWS that British Gas is to put up its prices by 5.9 per cent has been greeted with dismay by Age Concern Swindon.

The increase will take effect from January 10 or from March 1 for pre-payment customers.

It comes three weeks after Powergen said it was putting up prices the total cost to consumers will be an average 28p a week on electricity and 39p on gas.

Age Concern Swindon's director Jo Osorio said: "Many older people on low fixed incomes will struggle to cover an increase in gas and electricity costs this winter.

"The Government must increase the State pension so all pensioners are able to cover basic living costs."

Mark Clare, the managing director British Gas, said wholesale energy costs were to blame for the increase.

He added: "Like other suppliers we are being forced to reflect those increased costs in our prices.

"Over the last few months we have been absorbing these additional costs ourselves but, unfortunately, we are no longer able to do so."

But consumer group Energywatch poured scorn on the reasons given, saying in a statement: "There were significant reductions on wholesale energy prices over the past few years but these were not passed on to consumers.

"It seems grossly unfair that customers should now have to pay more for their gas and electricity."