WIREDGOV

Citizens Advice has responded to news that npower is to increase its typical dual fuel annual energy bill by £109, affecting approximately 1.4 million customers.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy, said:

“A price rise should only be considered as an absolute last resort.

“This increase will affect more than a million npower customers who will see their energy bills increase by over £100 a year.

“To help customers know what they are paying for and compare supplier, energy firms should be clear and up front about what is causing bills to go up.

“Energy bills can be a big pressure on household finances and the government has been right to bring this into focus in recent months.

“It’s really important for energy customers to remember that they can take control of how much they pay for their gas and electricity now by shopping around to see who has the best deal on offer.  Citizens Advice can help people work out how to save money on their energy and has an independent online price comparison tool to help.”

Notes to editors

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, 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 get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.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. Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication Advice trends.
6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.