Energy bills rise by 23 percent in a year

This is what is known as inverted deflation. From today's Telegraph...

The price rise between the first quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009 included 19.7pc real-terms increases in domestic electricity charges, 34.8pc for gas and 28.9pc for coal and smokeless fuel.

The Quarterly Energy Prices document showed that the rate of overall increase in fuel prices had fallen since the previous publication in March, when it stood at 34.3pc.

The figures, compiled by the Office for National Statistics, showed that the average standard credit electricity bill in 2008 was £405 – £22 up on the previous year. Average direct debit and prepayment bills increased by £27 to £376 and by £23 to £424 respectively.

Meanwhile, the figures showed the average standard credit gas bill rose by £18 over average 2007 bills to £570. Average direct debit bills increased by £28 to £525, and prepayment