THE owner of an Italian deli in Swindon's town centre is shocked that his energy bill has more than doubled despite him using less power.

Paolo Cianci has managed DaPaolo Italian Delicatessen on Commercial Road for years. His fixed contract with Opus Energy saw him receive bills of around £245 at the start of the year, then the price crept up to around £320 in June's bill.

He could not believe his eyes when July's total landed through his letterbox - a whopping £633.

To add insult to injury, his estimated average usage between June 27 and July 26 - 31kWh per day - is less than the average usage estimated between May 27 and June 26 - 38kWh per day.

Paolo said: "They are a bunch of sharks, this is extortionate. I was shocked when I saw the bill, I thought 'Bloody hell, this is a big jump'.

"Where will I get the extra money from? I can't raise my prices that much, no one will spend £5 more on a coffee.

"I've seen fewer customers recently too because they are facing the same problems with their bills and can't afford to spend as much as they used to.

"I try to keep costs down by switching things off when they're not being used, but even though I'm using less, I'm paying more."

June marked the last month of his 36-month fixed-term contract with his supplier and the start of a variable charge, but Paolo never imagined this would lead to such a huge price hike.

He added: "I was expecting maybe £100 more, not £320 more. What if next month is even more expensive? I can't afford it! And it's apparently going to get worse in October.

"I didn't want to start another fixed contract because once they have you, it's hard to change supplier.

"First it was the pandemic, now it's these prices, I'll have to just pay it all a bit at a time.

"Nothing will change unless we get on the streets and rebel, like the French. Don't smash shops up but block everything, bring it all to a halt, and see what happens."

After Paolo raised his concerns with Opus Energy, a spokesman for the company replied: "Prior to your contract ending, we did issue correspondence as notification of this information.

"As there wasn't a renewal contract agreed with us, a variable tariff has been charged. I am sorry if you're unhappy with the rates being charged.

"Based on the information we have available, there haven't been any errors made by us and we're unable to change the variable tariffs charged. I do apologise this isn't the outcome you were hoping for.

"I have applied the required 30-day termination notice, which means you're free to transfer the supply elsewhere between September 4 and October 5 2022.

"You will need to arrange for the supply to transfer elsewhere, agree on a contract with us or remain on the variable."

It comes as energy bills could increase ahead of the expected rise in October, the UK's energy regulator has revealed.

Ofgem and industry body Energy UK said it was "possible" for suppliers to raise customers' direct debits before the new cap on energy prices kicks in.

Any rises would be to help spread the cost of higher energy use in the winter months, Ofgem said.

Households have been warned of sharp rises in energy prices, with average bills forecast to reach £4,200 in 2023.

Ofgem said direct debits are usually charged in a way so that customers build up "credit" during the warmer summer months when usage is lower, to spread out the cost of using more energy in the colder months.