Energy

SSE has today become the fifth of the big six energy providers to announce a gas price cut this year, but the 4.1% drop won't take effect until 30 April.

Npower has today become the fourth energy provider to announce price cuts this year, but the drop doesn't take effect until 16 February and the 5.1% reduction only applies to gas.

Energy firm SSE is to be investigated by Ofgem over concerns it restricted competition in the electricity connections market.

Scottish Power is the latest energy provider to announce price cuts this year, but the drop doesn't take effect until 20 February and the 4.8% reduction only applies to gas.

British Gas has become the second Big Six energy provider to announce price cuts this year, but the drop doesn't take effect until 27 February and the 5% reduction only applies to gas.

If you're looking to switch energy provider, from today it could take half as long as it did in the past, following a voluntary move by suppliers to make the process easier and quicker.

Three-quarters of low income families struggled with their energy bills last year, jeopardising the health of their children, according to charity Turn2us.

E.on has today become the first energy provider to cut its standard energy prices this year, but the move will shave only £24 from an average customer's annual gas bill. Far greater savings are available to those who switch.

Inflation matched its lowest level on record in December when it fell to 0.5%, official figures showed today.

The price of gas and electricity is unlikely to fall in the next few months for millions of households on their provider's standard tariff even though suppliers now pay less for the energy they sell to us, according to industry insiders. But those looking for a new deal can take advantage of a price war.