MPs are to probe gas price rises

MPs are to launch an investigation into the surging gas price after complaints from households and the City.

The probe will begin in November. It comes after worrying price rises from domestic suppliers British Gas and npower, which blamed the wholesale market for an 11.8 per cent rise in charges.

Fears that Britain could run short of gas this winter have forced wholesale prices up, but pressure groups insist this does not explain why costs should be much higher than on the Continent.