End of tariffs to leave some British Gas customers '£195 poorer'

The end of eight fixed and capped energy tariffs this weekend will leave thousands of customers with an average bill increase of 11.8%, unless they have chosen a new tariff […]

The end of eight fixed and capped energy tariffs this weekend will leave thousands of customers with an average bill increase of 11.8%, unless they have chosen a new tariff or supplier.

That’s according to research by gocompare.com, which found British Gas customers on its ‘Online Variable November 2013’ paperless tariff will be worst hit.

Their bills will go up by more than £195 – roughly 16.4% – if they are automatically switched to the firm’s standard rate.

The figures are based on a ‘medium user’ who consumes 3,300 kWh of electricity and 16,500 kWh of gas each year.

Four of British Gas’s capped and fixed tariffs will be dropped over the weekend. npower is also ending two of its tariffs, as is Sainbury’s Energy.

Caroline Lloyd, Energy Spokesperson for Gocompare.com said: “Hopefully many will have already taken action and switched, prompted by the notification letter from their existing supplier. But for most of those who haven’t our research suggests they could see their energy bills leap considerably.

“The average price rise of 11.8% that could be felt by customers on these tariffs exceeds even the biggest price hike announced by the big six so far this winter.”

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