E.ON price rise “disappointing to say the least”, says Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice has responded to E.ON’s announcement that it is raising prices for approximately 1.8 million standard variable customers by 4.8%. E.ON is the last of the six largest energy suppliers to raise the cost of its standard variable tariff (SVT). In April this year the supplier removed certain discounts for SVT customers, amounting to a 2.6% increase in bills.
Gillian Guy, Chief Executive at Citizens Advice, said:
“After raising prices by stealth earlier in the year, E.ON’s decision to increase the price of its standard variable tariff (SVT) is disappointing to say the least.
“Those people most likely to be on SVTs, and hit by this increase, include the elderly, the least well off and those with disabilities. These groups are the least able to afford two price hikes in a year.
“The government’s proposed price cap should deliver much needed protections for energy customers in the future, but anyone unhappy with their current supplier should consider switching.”
Citizens Advice energy price comparison tool
Citizens Advice provides an independent comparison of energy tariffs, alongside a customer service star rating, at energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk.
Notes to editors
- Citizens Advice has a statutory role as the consumer advocate for energy consumers across the UK.
- The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, 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.
- 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.
- To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
- 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.
- Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication Advice trends.
- Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.