WIREDGOV

As Labour Leader Ed Miliband spells out his plans for the energy market and speculation continues to grow over the Government’s plans for energy bills in the Autumn Statement, Citizens Advice emphasises the need for consumers to know action will be taken.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“People have been hit with price hikes of 37% over three years while energy firms continue to make bumper profits.  This has sent household budgets into disarray as people struggle to afford to heat their home.  Consumers need assurance that the big public debate on energy will result in bills that are affordable now and in the future.  

“The energy market is in desperate need of reform to make it transparent and ensure people are put before profits.  The Government can help people on low incomes by shifting the cost of ECO and Warm Homes Discount from bills into taxation and Ministers need to outline their long awaited plans to tackle fuel poverty.”

Citizens Advice analysis finds 28% of people who seek help with an energy problem from a CAB also have a debt issue.  This is based on a study of clients who came to a Citizens Advice Bureaux during January to March 2013.  Of those clients who got help about energy and debt:

• half are in debt to their energy supplier
• 18% had credit or store card debts
• 1 in 5 had an unsecured personal loan.

Calls to the Citizens Advice consumer service about energy issues have doubled since the first increased was announced and over 83,000 people have sought online help, a 44% increase on the 33 days prior to the announcement.

Citizens Advice

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 www.citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at www.adviceguide.org.uk
4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 or 08454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.6 million problems from April 2012 to March 2013. For full 2012/2013 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 22,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.