Energy company “price-hike bidding war” continues as households are left in the cold

Households lose out once again as British Gas announces a 9.2% price rise across gas and electricity. Citizens Advice Chief Executive, Gillian Guy, calls for other energy firms not to follow suit.

Gillian Guy said:

“Families are crying out for energy firms to give households a break and stop this price-hike bidding war. The announcement of further energy price rises is depressingly predictable. Every year we see prices pushed up even further and it is households that inevitably lose out.

“This is another blow in a very difficult period for people who are already battling to keep afloat, and manage sky-high transport and food costs. Consumers will now be paying over the odds just to keep their homes warm over the next few months.

“Every year we see energy companies raising prices one after another. Now is the time for energy firms to show an understanding of the day-to-day lives of their customers and put a freeze on further price rises this winter.”

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.