Consumers still paying well over the odds for energy

Citizens Advice responds to new evidence from price comparison website Energy Helpline which finds that customers who remain loyal to their energy supplier pay on average £300 a year more than they need to on energy bills.

The national charity and consumer body has a free price comparison tool and publishes data quarterly on how good energy suppliers are at dealing with complaints.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“Many consumers are still paying well over the odds for energy.

“People are losing out on hundreds of pounds every year by staying on suppliers’ more expensive tariffs - so switching can deliver huge savings.

“Suppliers need to step up to the mark, doing more to show people when cheaper deals are available and bringing down the price gap between tariffs.

“Anyone looking to cut their bills should compare prices online or get help from Citizens Advice. We have an online tool to help people compare prices and consumers can also see how good suppliers are at dealing with complaints by checking out our league table.”

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.