Energy company profits will fuel consumer anger

Energy companies risk sparking consumer anger by announcing higher profits as customers see bills eat up more of their income, Citizens Advice has said. The warning comes as SSE says it expects its profits to rise by 8.8 per cent.

Next week (27-31 January) the charity will run Big Energy Saving Week to help consumers cut their bills.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of National Charity Citizens Advice, said:

“Bill-payers will be furious to see energy companies raking in bigger profits as they struggle to meet the cost of higher bills.

“Research from Citizens Advice has found that energy prices have risen by 34 per cent over the past three years – seven and a half times faster than earnings. Energy companies must understand the impact that rising bills have on stretched household budgets.  It’s difficult for people to manage their money if costs just keep going up so SSE’s cap on prices until spring 2015 will go some way to helping people manage costs.

“Consumers can send a strong message to energy suppliers that they are not happy about price rises by switching to a cheaper provider. Next week, Citizens Advice is running Big Energy Saving Week to offer extra help and advice and make sure that customers aren’t paying a penny more than they have to in fuel costs.”

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.