SCOTTISH and Southern Energy has announced it will be increasing its prices this autumn.

The energy company, which supplies nine million customers in the UK, including many in Oxfordshire, revealed it will be raising household electricity prices by 11 per cent.

And household gas prices will rise by 18 per cent from September 14 in what is promised to be the last energy price increase before August 2012 at the earliest.

SSE chief executive Ian Marchant said: “I am sorry that we have had to announce an increase in household energy prices at a time when many people’s budgets are under strain, but the upward pressures on prices have become too great.”

It is the third energy supplier to announce price increases in recent weeks. Scottish Power increased its gas prices by 19 per cent and electricity by 10 per cent, while British Gas announced the cost of gas would go up by an average of 18 per cent and electricity by an average of 16 per cent.

But Rachelle Kennedy, a spokesperson for Age UK Oxfordshire said: “The rising fuel prices are extremely worrying, especially for older people who are on fixed incomes.

“We urge anyone who is worried about how they are going to pay their fuel bills in the winter months to call our Information and Advice Helpline on 0844 887 0005.

“We can assist you in applying for grants, preparing for the colder weather and making sure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to.”