Centrica gains ground in battle with gas rivals
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The opening up of the domestic gas market is provoking a consumer backlash with customers returning to British Gas in their thousands and complaints rocketing against independent suppliers.
Centrica, the demerged trading arm of British Gas, said yesterday that it was winning back customers at the rate of 3,000 to 5,000 a week with the help of lower tariffs and innovations such as its Goldfish credit card, contents insurance and home security products. So far 80,000 of the 980,000 customers that deserted British Gas have returned.
Meanwhile, the Gas Consumers Council said it had received as many complaints in January from consumers switching suppliers as in the last six months of 1997. Sue Slipman, director of the GCC, said an unprecedented 1,372 complaints were filed last month against 3,170 in the whole of 1997. Where suppliers could not cope, the GCC would be urging Ofgas to intervene and prevent them from transferring customers.
The electricity company Eastern hit back saying it had signed up more than 175,000 customers in the North West and Yorkshire - which open to competition today - offering pounds 75 off the average bill.
Roy Gardner, Centrica's chief executive, said he had not given up hope of preventing electricity companies from poaching gas customers until their own markets are open. He is meeting the John Battle, the energy minister, to demand higher fines and ensure the RECs meet their September deadline.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments