A SOUTHAMPTON MP has claimed the government doesn’t have a grip on the ‘broken’ energy market after British Gas hiked electricity prices by 12.5 per cent.

Labour’s Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead has said the rise doesn’t appear to be justifiable, in a move that will affect more than three million customers nationwide.

Owned by Centrica, the company is the UK’s largest energy supplier and has sparked anger after it announced the rise in costs, which will take effect on September 15.

Shadow energy and climate change minister Mr Whitehead said: “[The] announcement shows that the Conservative Government has still not got a grip on the broken energy market, with companies raising prices yet again.”

He said the price rise didn’t appear to be justifiable at all with Centrica making a “healthy profit”.

The move will see £76 a year added to the average fuel bill that takes into account both gas and electricity. The price rise has also drawn criticism from the Conservatives.

A spokesperson for the department of business, energy and industrial strategy said: “We’re concerned this price rise will hit many people already on poor-value tariffs.

“Ofgem has committed to taking prompt action, in consultation with consumer experts, to develop proposals including a safeguard tariff.”

British Gas is the last of the ‘Big Six’ providers to increase prices after it promised in December to freeze tariffs until August.