Together Energy collapse adds to a sky-high bill for customers, warns Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice, in its role as the official watchdog for energy consumers, has responded to Ofgem’s announcement about the failure of Together Energy.

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

“Together Energy is the 27th energy supplier to have collapsed since August. As well as causing considerable disruption and confusion for customers, today's announcement will add to the £2.6bn bill consumers are already facing due to these failures.

“With the price cap expected to go up again in April and the cost of living soaring, many are already facing impossible choices between heating and eating. The government must spread the cost of supplier failures so people aren’t left to foot a sky-high bill for chaos in the energy market, just as prices rise. It should also provide a one-off payment to people through the benefits system this April for those who need the most support.”

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.

Background:

  • Citizens Advice recently published a major new report on regulatory failings in the energy market. 

  • It estimates supplier failures since Aug 2021 will cost consumers £2.6 billion - around £94 per customer from 2022 - this is not including the £1.7 billion of taxpayer money the Government has set aside for Bulb’s failure.

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.