11 hours ago
Scottish region leads UK with highest utility bills as residents face higher costs than anywhere else
A new study has identified the UK areas where residents pay the highest utility bills, with one region in Scotland topping the list for the highest monthly costs
Residents of Argyll and Bute are grappling with the highest monthly utility costs in the UK, according to recent data.
The average monthly bill for residents is a staggering £226, with electricity making up 62 per cent of this cost.
The new study has revealed the areas in the UK where residents are burdened with the heftiest utility bills, with Argyll and Bute leading the pack.
The research, conducted by UKEM – ECO4 eligibility checkers and government grant specialists –analysed utility consumption data to pinpoint which regions are shouldering the most significant financial loads.
The findings revealed that bill payers in the region are slapped with an average of £140 for electricity and £85 for gas.
The high electricity costs in this region can be attributed to the Northern Scotland pricing region, which boasts some of the steepest standing charges in the UK at 60.87p daily.
Elmbridge, located in the South East of England, came in second place, with residents facing a monthly utilities bill of £225.66. Unlike Argyll and Bute, Elmbridge's high costs are due to substantial gas consumption, reaching 16,245 kWh per domestic meter – the highest gas usage among the top 10 areas.
This results in monthly gas bills of £103.41, with electricity contributing an additional £122.25 to household expenses.
The City of London clinched the third spot.
The only other Scottish region to make it into the top 10 was the Highlands, which ranked fifth, with monthly utility costs amounting to £213.88.
Similar to Argyll and Bute, it faces high electricity standing charges due to its location in the Northern Scotland pricing region, paying 18.26p daily compared to 14.41p in South East England. Highland residents shell out £134.18 per month for electricity, which accounts for over 62% of total utility expenses.
