Scottish and Southern Group spokesman Alan Young confirmed that prices for its 7 million gas and electricity customers would remain on hold until next year. Scottish and Southern, which supplies gas and electricity under the Atlantic Electric and Gas, Southern Electric, Scottish Hydro and SWALEC brands, does, however expect to implement a further price increase early in the next year.

Scottish and Southern's statement of pending price increases is likely to cause concern during a period of stagnant wholesale gas and electricity prices - the biggest cause of gas and electricity price increases in recent years.