Citizens Advice responds to British Gas replacing standard variable tariffs

Citizens Advice has responded to the announcement that energy supplier British Gas (Centrica) will replace its standard variable tariff with a fixed term default tariff, as part of a package of new measures for its customers.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive, Gillian Guy said:

“Poor value default tariffs that take advantage of customer loyalty have no place in a modern energy market.

“Centrica’s reforms are a welcome step in the right direction, but the company needs to make it clear how these changes will really make a difference to the millions of customers who have stayed on their high priced standard variable tariff for years.

“It’s good news that energy companies are taking the initiative by scrapping these expensive tariffs, but we believe consumers still need additional protections. Ofgem is rightly planning to limit energy bills for vulnerable people, while government’s proposed legislation to cap all energy prices provides a welcome opportunity to make the market work better for the 12 million people on rip-off default tariffs.”

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Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, 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 get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.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. Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication  Advice trends .

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.