Utility bills for British Gas customers are on the rise once again, as the company announces its latest price increases for gas and electricity.

Later this year, gas will rise by 18 per cent, while electricity will be 16 per cent more expensive.

Mike O'Connor, chief executive of Consumer Focus, explained that these figures will prove worrying for people all over the country.

"Consumers simply don't trust that energy companies have customers' interests at heart and rightly question whether prices are fair," he commented.

Wholesale costs have risen of late, but are still around "a third lower than their 2008 peak", the expert pointed out, meaning British Gas has made some healthy profits.

Mr O'Connor called on Ofgem to be decisive in its action against energy companies that treat their customers unfairly, which then needs to be taken up by the Competition Commission if no fault can be found.