Over 30,000 people seek online energy advice since first price hike   

Citizens Advice has seen a 55% increase in the number of people seeking online advice about their energy bills following the first price rise announced by SSE on Thursday 10 October.

Since then, British Gas, npower and now Scottish Power have all raised their prices.  Co-op Energy also increased its prices by an average 4.5% on a dual fuel bill.

As many as 30,118 people sought online advice about energy between 10 and 23 October 2013, compared to 19,436 during the 13 days prior to the price increase (26 September to 9 October 2013).

Calls to the Citizens Advice consumer service about energy bills have doubled since the price increases.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“The huge number of people seeking advice since the price hikes started is a barometer of consumer fear about energy bills.

“Barely a day goes by without the bad news of another energy price increase.  Price rises, just as temperatures start to drop, means people will see their bills this winter soar. Households are finding it really difficult to cope with the increases in cost of living.”

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.