Citizens Advice urges energy firms to cut bills

Citizens Advice has called on the Big Six energy firms to do the right thing for their customers and cut energy bills.

Today, British Gas has cut its standard gas prices by 5%, equivalent to £37 off an average annual household gas bill. The charity has said that with wholesale costs having fallen steadily for a year, the other large energy firms must also pass these savings on to households struggling to make ends meet.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“All energy firms must now cut household bills for their customers. The savings being offered remain disappointingly low but if E.ON and British Gas can cut prices other firms must now do the same. Energy bills have risen by a third since 2010 yet figures show wholesale costs are at a four-year low. If energy companies can reduce gas bills, they must also be able to pass on wholesale savings by cutting electricity costs.

“Many people are seeking help with day to day costs like rent arrears and council tax debts as they struggle to make ends meet.

“Customers on energy prepayment meters can pay a yearly average of £80 or more for a second-class service. Citizens Advice wants to see energy suppliers reduce prices for all customers, not just those able to switch to get the best deals.”

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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.