Ofgem’s figures are likely to fuel further anger over rising gas and electricity bills

The profits made by the Big Six energy companies have leapt more than sixfold to £53 a household from £8 a household four years ago.

British Gas, E.ON, EDF, npower, ScottishPower and SSE collectively made £1.2 billion from supplying energy and gas to British homes last year, compared with £682 million in 2011 and a mere £221 million in 2009.

Ofgem’s figures are likely to fuel further anger over rising gas and electricity bills. The average bill rose £168 in 2012, with £23 of the rise attributable to the companies taking greater profits, according to the regulator.

However, overall profits fell 3.4 per cent across the Big Six because of a weaker performance from their energy generation businesses.

The energy companies have found themselves under