Citizens Advice welcomes mis-selling compensation for British Gas customers

Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's announcement today after the regulator secured a £1 million package of compensation to British Gas customers after they mis-sold products.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“Energy firms must put people before profits. Consumers are entitled to expect that energy companies will treat them with honesty and transparency.

“It is only right that British Gas puts right their misleading practices by compensating customers. British Gas exaggerated savings claims on some of their tariffs and in some cases customers actually had to pay more when they switched provider.

“The energy industry has been riddled with misleading practices which have eroded trust in the market. Consumers are at risk of being ripped off by direct selling on the doorstep, in shopping arcades or from cold calling if they are not treated fairly."

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.