58 / 99
5
Spiralling Energy Costs
The Electricity Retail Price Index has shown a steady increase from January 2004
through to January 2006. However, from January 2006 there has been a marked
step change, and the trend clearly shows prices increasing at a greater rate. There
are direct cost implications for consumers in the way of more expensive bills, and
consumers are also feeling the effect as higher energy costs are passed down to
customers by manufacturers, retailers and other service providers. We could also
see wider, longer-term implications to economic growth for businesses such as
manufacturing.
In conclusion, it is clear, Government and Social focus highlights the need to
reduce energy consumption and to continue developing methods of producing
energy which have a less harmful effect on our environment.
Electricity Price Index: UK
Electricity Retail Price Index : UK
0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
120.0
140.0
160.0
180.0
2004
2004
2004
2004
2005
2005
2005
2005
2006
2006
2006
2006
2007
2007
2007
2007
2008
2008