Real competition needed after a decade of energy price rises

Citizens Advice calls for an end to households bearing the brunt of rising energy prices, as new figures show that the average household energy spend has risen by 55% since 2002, despite families using 17% less energy than they were in 2002.

Gillian Guy, Citizens Advice Chief Executive, said:

“Households have borne the brunt of a decade of energy firms raising prices. Since 2010 alone energy bills have risen by 33 per cent – that’s seven times the rate of earnings. Families now face impossible decisions like choosing between heating or eating.

“Energy companies make big profits while people struggle to make ends meet. There needs to be real competition in the energy market and transparency so that people are able to get the cheapest deal on their energy.”

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.