Cuts to energy bills a “tick-box exercise”

As EDF announces a 1.3% cut to its energy bills, which takes effect on 11 February, Citizens Advice has said that the latest round of energy bill prices cuts are nothing more than a tick box exercise.

EDF’s price cut will only reduce bills by £9 but analysis from Citizens Advice reveals that moving to its cheapest tariff could save current customers £165 annually on a dual fuel deal.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“Energy price cuts seem to be nothing more than a tick box exercise. While the larger suppliers have now all reduced their prices; the savings consumers will make from these reductions are tiny compared to the drop in wholesale prices.

“EDF’s minimal price cut will leave people just £9 better off whereas there is a £165 difference between the firm’s standard and cheapest tariffs.

“The energy market needs to work for all customers not just those who shop around.  The Competition and Markets Authority needs to look seriously at the behaviour of firms around these recent price cuts to establish whether the industry is competitive and if households are getting a fair deal.”

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Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, 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 find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.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. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.