British Gas dealt customers a double blow on their energy bills

As Ofgem reveals British Gas is to make payments following their failure to deliver energy efficiency measures to deadline, Citizens Advice says British Gas dealt customers a double blow on bills.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“British Gas dealt their customers a double blow on bills. Not only have households borne the brunt of price rises, they’ve been denied long term solutions that would stop heat leaking from their homes. Ofgem is right to penalise firms for failing to meet these obligations.

“With prices up a third since 2010 households are struggling with higher bills to heat and light their homes. Energy efficiency measures like insulation, new boilers and draft exclusion can bring bills down for the long term.

"While the target was finally met, Ofgem needs to keep an eye on suppliers to make sure they are meeting their obligations to make homes energy efficient.  This once again brings into question whether suppliers are best placed to deliver national energy efficiency programmes and whether a local model would be more effective.”

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.