Energy firms must prioritise helping customers over stakeholders

Citizens Advice warns that high energy bills means families are making tough choices.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of national charity Citizens Advice, said:

"These high profits come out of the pockets of hard-pressed consumers, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet.

"Citizens Advice Bureaux across Britain see too many families forced to choose between heating and eating, or running up debts so that they can afford to keep their homes warm and dry. Energy firms must start putting their customers above their shareholders and do more to curb price rises and keep bills low."

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.