Citizens Advice responds to Prime Minister’s announcement of plans for a cap on energy bills

Citizens Advice has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of legislation to tackle high energy bills, saying it could provide a solution to runaway energy costs.

The national charity has also called for the government to look at protecting low-income pensioner and families this winter.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“Loyal customers on sky-high standard variable tariffs are paying over the odds for their gas and electricity - including many of the poorest pensioners and families.

“In the last year energy prices have gone up more than three times the rate of inflation for customers of the largest firms - and it is much more difficult for those with the lowest incomes to pay the average extra £89 on their bills.

“The Prime Minister’s announcement of a cap on energy bills could provide a solution to the runaway energy costs that the millions of people on default tariffs have faced for years.

“We’d encourage the government to look at what it can do to help households in the short-term, recognising that legislation can take time, including ensuring that protection for low-incomes pensioners and families comes into force this winter.”

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.