Today marks six months since British Gas announced a second price cut for standard plan customers. Despite new figures out today revealing that wholesale energy prices hit a five-year low at the end of 2015, other big suppliers have failed to follow British Gas’ lead. Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at Uswitch.com, says: “It’s simply astounding that, six months since British Gas cut gas prices, the other big suppliers are still refusing to follow suit. With wholesale energy costs at a five year low, it’s hard to justify why hard-pressed consumers have only seen token gesture cuts to their bills.
“More than half of all consumers – including pensioners, disabled customers and young working families – admit they will ration their energy use this winter, simply to cope with high energy bills. Energy, like food and shelter, is a basic essential. It’s hugely concerning that millions will risk their health, simply because they cannot afford to pay for what they need.
“Last year’s price cuts by the big six cut average bills by just three per cent. Single digit reductions fall far short of the double-digit drop in wholesale energy prices. With the global gas surplus expected to continue into 2016, we should be seeing bill reductions of at least ten per cent on both gas and electricity.”
Big six suppliers’ standard plan prices
| Supplier | Plan name | Average annual cost (paying on receipt of bill) | Average annual cost (paying by monthly Direct Debit) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | Standard | £1,133 | £1,075 | ||
| E.ON | E.ON Energy Plan | £1,149 | £1,079 | ||
| SSE | Standard | £1,169 | £1,089 | ||
| EDF Energy | Standard (Variable) | £1,170 | £1,100 | ||
| ScottishPower | Standard | £1,193 | £1,113 | ||
| npower | Standard | £1,204 | £1,110 |
Source: Uswitch.com. Correct as of 14th January, 2016
Big six suppliers’ standard plan price changes 2015
| Supplier | Change | Effective | | E.ON | · Gas: down 3.5% | · 13th January | | EDF | · Gas: down 1.3% | · 11th February | | British Gas | · Gas: down 5%
· Gas: down 5%
| · 27th February
· 27th August
| | ScottishPower | · Gas: down 4.8% | · 20th February | | npower | · Gas: down 5.1% | · 16th February | | SSE | · Gas: down 4.1% | · 30th April |
Source: Uswitch.com. Correct as of 14th January, 2016
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Jason Wakeford
Phone: 0203 872 5612
Email: jason.wakeford@uswitch.com
Twitter: @UswitchPR
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