§ Mr. PikeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the projected average(a) gas and (b) electricity bill per household on a regional basis for 1996–97; what were the equivalent figures in 1995–96; and what is the percentage change in each case. [24927]
§ Mr. EggarFor the financial year 1995–96, the average regional household electricity bills excluding VAT are given in the table. In England and Wales, the regions represent those covered by the regional electricity companies.
Region Average electricity bill1 during the financial year 1995–96, excluding VAT£ Eastern 264.94 East Midlands 275.78 London 277.26 Manchester and North Wales (MANWEB) 297.99 West Midlands 272.10 Northern 282.09 North West (NORWEB) 255.16 South East (SEEBOARD) 260.50 Southern 270.30 South Wales 311.64 South West 294.69 Yorkshire 272.02 Scotland 272.10 Northern Ireland 326.66 UK average 275.33 1 Average for a typical domestic consumer with consumption of 3,300 kWh of electricity a year. Calculated from published tariffs and standing charges. The average bill represents the amount paid by a typical household in the financial year including any rebates received by the households. In addition, domestic electricity customers in England and Wales will have received a £50 discount on their bills in the first quarter of 1996, following the flotation of the National Grid.
For gas, there was no regional difference in pricing to households in the financial year 1995–96. The average household gas bill for a typical customer with consumption of 17,600 kWh per year in 1995–96 was £305.44 excluding VAT.
My Department does not make projections of electricity or gas prices.