Energy price rises could be ‘the nail in the coffin’ for people’s finances

As Labour leader Ed Miliband announces policies to help control spiraling energy costs, Citizens Advice calls for energy companies to treat customers more fairly.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of national charity Citizens Advice, said:

“It’s hard to justify high profits when rising bills mean that many families have to chose between heating their homes and putting food on the table. Energy firms must keep price rises to a minimum and make sure that any drops in wholesale costs are passed on to customers.

“A fresh round of energy price rises could be the nail in the coffin for people's household budgets - many are already being pushed to breaking point by a perfect storm of price rises, wage freezes and benefit curbs. As hard-pressed consumers brace themselves for higher costs, it’s clear that energy companies must do more to make bills more affordable.”

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Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website .

  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk

  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers

  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.