Serious questions for regulator as two more energy companies fail, says Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice, in its role as the official watchdog for energy consumers, has responded to the collapse of two more energy suppliers - Orbit and Entice Energy - which takes the total of failed firms to 25, since the gas price crisis began in August.

Gillian Cooper, Head of Energy Policy at Citizens Advice, said:

“The increases in global gas prices we’ve seen this year have been significant, but should not have led to the collapse of 25 firms.

“As suppliers continue to fall like dominoes, it’s clear the market is not functioning as it should and there are serious questions for Ofgem to answer about how this has been allowed to happen.”

Advice for customers:

We recommend taking a meter reading for your own record. Wait to find out who your new supplier will be - it can take a few weeks, but they will be in touch. Your credit balance will be carried over to the new company once they’re appointed. In the meantime, be assured that energy supply will continue as normal.

Notes to editors

  1. Citizens Advice includes the national charity; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.

  2. Citizens Advice is the statutory consumer advocate for energy and post. We provide supplier performance information to consumers and policy analysis to decision makers.

  3. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free, independent support for prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court in England and Wales.

  4. Citizens Advice offers Pension Wise services at 500 locations in England and Wales.

  5. Citizens Advice’s services are free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to all regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  6. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice, visit citizensadvice.org.uk

  7. For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 to talk in Welsh.

  8. We helped 2.6 million people face to face, by phone, email and webchat in 2017-18. For service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.

  9. Citizens Advice staff are supported by over 23,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 locations in England and Wales.