Energy prices look set to remain high this winter, despite an economic slowdown and falling oil prices, electricity insiders have told the BBC.

Reporter Robert Peston contacted the big power companies, all of which raised their gas and electricity prices over the summer and was told that a price drop was unlikely.

British Gas led the way, raising its gas only tariff by 35 per cent and electricity by nine per cent.

In the absence of price cuts, homeowners might want to make sure their property is air tight and install insulation or double glazing in a bid to keep their house warm at the lowest possible cost.

Neither gas nor electricity prices will drop, the industry sources told Mr Peston, because gas prices are still 70 per cent higher than they were last winter, while wholesale power is twice as expensive as it was last year.

Another reason that a price cut is unlikely is that the companies bought the power and gas that they will sell consumers this winter when the prices were peaking.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, insulation is one of the most cost effective ways of preserving heat in a home.