SSE has become the last of the "big six" energy companies to announce early summer price rises, with a 6.7% average increase in gas and electricity bills. The move will see gas prices rise by 5.7% and electricity prices go up by 7.7% on 11 July for SSE customers on variable deals. This will mean an average £76 per year rise for 2.36 million customers. The company said the price rise was the result of increasing costs "largely outside our control". "We deeply regret having to raise prices and have worked hard to withstand the increasing costs," said Stephen Forbes, chief commercial officer at the company. "The cost of supplying energy is increasing and this ultimately impacts the prices we are able to offer customers."

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