Energy supplier EDF has raised electricity prices by 17 per cent and gas prices by 22 per cent. The company blamed record wholesale energy costs for the increases, which come into effect immediately. The French firm is one of Britain's biggest energy suppliers, with 5.1 million customers. The hikes will mean a typical customer using gas and electricity will pay £3.97 a week more for their energy, it said. EDF spokesman Eva Eisenschimmel said: "Record world oil prices have continued to drive up wholesale gas prices. "Alongside unprecedented rises in wholesale coal and electricity costs, this has impacted hugely on the cost of supplying energy to our customers." The company said wholesale energy prices had increased by 70 per cent for coal, 63 per cent for gas and 47 per cent for electricity since it last increased prices in January. British Gas said its prices have not changed, but an independent report commissioned by owner Centrica last week warned prices could increase by...