Call to protect vulnerable AND loyal customers.
Citizens Advice is calling for change in energy price policy. In spite of a fall in wholesale costs this week’s British Gas price rise is just one more illustration that the energy supply market isn’t working.
In this market it’s not surprising that CA and others have focused on the problems of vulnerable customers. It’s true the government and companies have introduced schemes to help those most at risk. But it’s also clear that this isn’t nearly enough.
There is a wide and growing demand for change to protect loyal as well as vulnerable customers.
Citizens Advice thinks energy companies should be set annual targets to move customers off expensive standard variable tariffs, and anyone who hasn’t switched for 3 years should have their bills capped.
Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:
“It is positive that British Gas has chosen to credit 200,000 of its most vulnerable customers with £76 to offset its price rise this winter – but this underlines the need for a long-term solution to protect loyal customers of all firms.”