Bord Gáis and Aviva to raise prices

Hard-pressed families face soaring health insurance premiums and higher energy costs from the middle of this month — with worse to come.

Both Bord Gáis and Aviva are hiking their prices from Oct 15, while new government levies will push health insurance costs up a further €200 a year for the average family.

Any rise will come on top of a spate of recent increases, as health cover costs have gone up five times in less than two years.