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Failed energy suppliers cost consumers £255m since 2018, says Citizens Advice

5 Rhagfyr 2019

Citizens Advice has responded to new Ofgem data on unpaid energy industry bills left behind by failed suppliers. Alongside this, the charity has released new analysis showing consumers are now facing a £255m bill following the collapse of these firms, which will be paid through higher energy bills of their own. 

The new analysis is an update to its Picking Up the Pieces report (June 2019), which previously estimated the cost to consumers at £172m. A further five suppliers have failed in the past six months, with 16 leaving the market since 2018, affecting over a million customers.

The charity estimates that consumers may end up footing an even larger bill with some active suppliers having failed to make £19m of industry payments (Renewables Obligation and Capacity Market).

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“Households are picking up an ever-increasing bill as more suppliers go to the wall. If other suppliers fail in the future that bill is likely to keep rising. 

“Ofgem has proposed measures to limit the costs to consumers, but more action is needed. The next government should legislate to compel suppliers to make industry payments - in particular the Renewables Obligation (RO) - more regularly. This would stop suppliers from building up such high levels of debt and stop consumers from being the ones to foot the bill.” 

Notes to editors

  1. The Renewables Obligation (RO) is a payment made by suppliers which supports large-scale renewable generation deployment. Ofgem published the late payment information for the scheme year 2018/19 on 5th December 2019 (available here).
  2. The Capacity Market is a system that ensures electricity supply continues to meet demand as less reliable renewable energy generation comes on line. It was recently suspended following an EU Court ruling, but reinstated after the European Commission determined that it didn’t breach state aid rules.
  3. The new analysis and the original Picking up the Pieces (June 2019) research can be found here.
  4. Citizens Advice includes the national charity; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.
  5. Citizens Advice is the statutory consumer advocate for energy and post. We provide supplier performance information to consumers and policy analysis to decision makers.
  6. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free, independent support for prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court in England and Wales.
  7. Citizens Advice offers Pension Wise services at 500 locations in England and Wales.
  8. Citizens Advice’s services are free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to all regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  9. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
  10. For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 to talk in Welsh.
  11. We helped 2.6 million people face to face, by phone, email and webchat in 2017-18. For service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.
  12. Citizens Advice staff are supported by over 23,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 locations in England and Wales.