Millions of consumers are bracing themselves for further dramatic increases to their fuel bills after British Gas today confirmed plans to hike its energy prices by 22 per cent as from the beginning of next month.

This is the second time in six months that the Centrica-owned group has increased the price of its gas and electricity supplies to customers - as part of rises it insists it has been forced into as a result of the soaring cost of fuel on the wholesale markets.

Even with today's planned increases, British Gas claims it will still shoulder some of the extra costs it has had to suffer.

According to price comparison service uSwitch.com, the price rises will add £1.08 billion to British consumers' gas bills and the average household bill will surge to £1,005.

USwitch.com said British Gas has raised gas prices by more than 66 per cent since the start of 2004.

As it detailed the price increases, British Gas also outlined a series of measures aimed at protecting its vulnerable customers and encouraging consumers to save energy.

Today's move by British Gas, signalled in the round several weeks ago, echoes similar moves by rival energy suppliers including Scottish Power and London Energy and Seeboard-owner EdF of France.

Moves to hike prices have already been angrily condemned by consumer groups such as Energywatch.

Alan Tattersall, director of home services at uSwitch.com, also slated today's price rises and urged British Gas customers to switch providers.

"This is one of the biggest social scandals in recent memory. It is misleading for British Gas to hide behind wholesale gas prices as the reason for these latest increases," Mr Tattersall said.

"Even before this latest round of energy price rise announcements British Gas charged their customers on average 12.5 per cent more for gas than their main competitors."

USwitch said by switching to cheaper suppliers British Gas customers could save up to £170 a year.