Loyal customers bear brunt of energy bill price rises, says Citizens Advice

Responding to news that E.ON is to raise the price of its annual dual fuel standard variable tariff by 8.8%, Citizens Advice says it is loyal customers who will be most affected by the price rise.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy, said:

“Loyal customers will bear the brunt of yet another steep price rise from a large energy firm.

“Millions of E.ON customers on the standard variable tariff could find their bills have been pushed up further after years of paying more than other customers for the same gas and electricity.

“It is positive that E.ON will identify some of its vulnerable customers on the standard variable tariff and make it easier for them to get the cheapest deal on offer. But action is needed to lower the bills for loyal customers of all suppliers.

“The government is right to say it will set right markets that don’t work for consumers. Extending the prepayment meter cap to standard variable tariff customers who are on the Warm Homes Discount would be one way to help some of those who can least afford rising bills.”

Citizens Advice has an independent online price comparison tool that can help people work out how much they could save by switching.

Notes to editors

  1. 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 .

  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 Citizens Advice in England and Wales, visit 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. 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 .

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.