Big Six energy retailer SSE dealt customers "a crippling blow" yesterday as it tacked over £100 onto the average annual fuel bill.

The firm behind Southern Electric, Swalec and Scottish Hydro told consumers it was "sorry" to be raising its tariffs by an average of 8.2 per cent from November, despite pre-tax profits of £1.4bn and a 9 per cent rise last year.

But rankled consumer groups trashed the decision, calling it the "final nail
in the coffin for affordable
energy."