One in three plan to cut back on energy use to keep up with rising bills

Citizens Advice highlights the struggle that many consumers face due to rising energy bills as Npower announces a rise in profits.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of National Charity Citizens Advice, said:

“Energy companies make big profits while people struggle to make ends meet. One in three people plan to cut back on the amount of energy they use this year in order to keep up with rising energy bills. Energy bills have risen by 33 per cent since 2010, seven times faster than the average wage.

“Energy firms must understand the impact that growing bills have on their customers and help people get the cheapest deal for them. Every day, Citizens Advice Bureaux help people who are forced to choose between heating and eating. There is an urgent need to increase transparency and boost competition in the energy sector.”

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.