Consumer Energy Bills Not Falling Fast Enough - Kramer

12.25.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 17th Apr 2007

Richmond Park MP Susan Kramer says that the majority of gas companies are dragging their heels over price cuts despite a 50 per cent drop in the wholesale price of gas.

Susan Kramer said:

"It's nearly a year since the cost of wholesale gas went down by half yet only two of the six energy companies have passed on any reduction in price to local consumers.

"British Gas may have cut its charges by 17 per cent but this is much less than the 95 per cent increases they have brought in over the last few years.

"The regulator Ofgem said it would stamp on companies who did not pass on price reductions to customers.

"I have yet to see any action on this from them.

"Also existing customers are often in the dark about the cheaper tariffs that they could move onto. These are not actively promoted by the companies. I would urge constituents to find out what the offers are rather than staying on a higher tariff."