Utility giant Centrica faced more public outrage today after reporting £1.3bn in half-year profits - including £270m for its residential arm British Gas - just weeks after announcing a price hike.

But Centrica said adjusted operating profits in the six months to June 30 at British Gas fell by 54% compared to the same period last year as it battled with a 30% increase in wholesale gas prices and lower consumption.

British Gas, the UK’s biggest energy supplier, plans to lift gas and electricity prices by an average of 18% and 16% respectively from August 18.

Centrica, which also operates an upstream gas exploration business and a US residential arm, posted a 19% decline in adjusted operating profits from £1.6bn in the same period last year.