Today

Energy giant British Gas has reported annual profits of £571m at its residential arm - more than six times the £95m it made in 2006.

It means that the energy firm made £1,086 in profit every minute throughout 2007, with profit per customer increasing six-fold from £5.93 to £36.

The energy supplier has revealed its huge gains only a month after hitting dual fuel (gas and electricity) households with a 15 per cent or £143 price hike.

Centrica, British Gas' parent company, announced a 40 per cent rise in operating profits to £1.95bn.

Chairman Roger Carr said: "Centrica delivered very strong financial results during another challenging year for UK energy retailers."

But British Gas' bumper profits have been attacked by uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service.

"It is clear from today's results that British Gas is a business that places shareholders, not customers, at the top of its agenda," said uSwitch.com.

uSwitch.com: "It is clear from today's results that British Gas is a business that places shareholders, not customers, at the top of its agenda."

"While customers now face average dual fuel bills of £1,055, up from £912 in 2007, dividends are increasing by 17 per cent."

According to uSwitch.com, British Gas' 15 per cent price hike has plunged 192,000 more households into fuel poverty.

Ann Robinson, director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, reacted angrily to news of the bumper figures.

She said: "Today's announcement boils down to profits and price hikes and reveals the depth of the divide in how British Gas treats customers and shareholders. This company has given up all pretence of keeping a healthy balance between the two.

"Consumers have a right to feel like Britain's biggest energy company is taking them for a ride. Revealing huge profits only a month after hitting customers with an inflation busting price hike is like having a £571m elephant in the living room - it was never going to go unnoticed. British Gas was clearly hoping that consumers’ memories are short, but their pockets deep.

“British Gas has today succeeded in putting itself and the energy industry back under the spotlight and it has also handed some hefty ammunition to those who are calling for the industry to justify its pricing."

Looking ahead, uSwitch.com warned that British Gas would continue to increase prices in the coming months.

"Further pricing blows are also expected from British Gas after it recently indicated that it is considering regional pricing for gas - a 'postcode lottery' policy which will see consumers paying different prices for gas based on where they live in the UK," the price comparison website said.

"If this occurs, other suppliers are likely to follow suit - some consumers can expect to pay close to £100m more for their energy compared with others living elsewhere in the country."