UK energy bills comparison: who spends the most on gas and electricity?

New figures reveal huge variance in how much we pay for our energy depending on where we live.

Where you live can have a huge effect on your energy bills, with total bills varying by almost £90 across the country.

Figures released by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have revealed that people living in northern Scotland pay the most to heat and light their homes with total bills averaging £1,350. Meanwhile people living in the East Midlands pay £89 less over the year with average annual bills of £1,261.

The DECC says that the variation comes down to varying costs for distribution and transmission.

Londoners pay the most for their gas at £743 a year, but they have relatively low electricity bills at £586 a year. In contrast people in the North East and the East Midlands have the lowest gas bills at £699 a year.

When it comes to electricity Scots living in the northern reaches of the country pay the most with annual bills of £635, while those living in Eastern England pay the least at £561 a year.

Source: DECC

Compare gas and electricity tariffs in your area today

Increased competition means bills are falling

The average bill for electricity and gas has fallen by around £45 this year, according to the DECC. That is made up of an £8 drop in electricity costs and a £37 reduction in gas bills due to a fall in wholesale costs.

“Energy bills fell by £45 this year and we will continue to work hard to reduce them further,” said a spokesperson for the DECC. “Thanks to Government reforms there are now 31 energy suppliers in the market helping to drive more competition and choice for bill payers to shop around for a cheaper deal. This is up from just six in 2010.”

The cheapest energy deals

One thing that this study reveals is that millions of us are paying far more for our energy than we need to be. Currently there are a host of tariffs that would cost the average household less than £850 a year, hundreds of pounds less than the average household is shelling out.

The table below details the cheapest deals on the market today

Based on dual fuel payment by monthly direct debit averaged across all UK regions and for households with an annual energy usage of 12,500kWh has and 3,100kWh electricity.

Compare gas and electricity tariffs in your area today

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