SSE 'making more money from fewer customers'

Citizens Advice has urged energy companies to make sure customers feel the benefit of wholesale energy price decreases, in light of SSE posting a

retail profits increase

of 39.7%.

 

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said:

"SSE is making more money from fewer customers. Consumers will rightly question why their bills are so high when the supplier's profits are increasing

 

"All energy companies need to make sure their customers are benefiting from a cut in wholesale prices. C

uts made to bills earlier this year were welcome but not enough.

 Research from Citizens Advice reveals households have lost an estimated £47 million as many cuts were brought in at the end of winter.

 

"We want the Competition Markets Authority's investigation into the energy industry to establish transparency for customers so people know if they are getting value for money."

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 get advice online or find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit www.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. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.6 million problems from April 2012 to March 2013. For full 2012/2013 service statistics see our quarterly publication  Advice trends