Press release
Energy firms follow EDF and cut fuel prices
12 January 2012
*** Interview with Friends of the Earth energy expert available. Contact press office ***
Responding to today's announcement by British Gas and SSE that they're cutting their energy prices, Paul Steedman, Friends of the Earth's Energy Campaigner, said:
"Customers won't be fooled by energy companies following EDF with last-minute winter price reductions - they know that even with today's cuts their prices have soared within the last year.
"Tinkering in the margins of massive price hikes won't fix our broken energy system - the Big Six are making billions in profits from their addiction to fossil fuels, whose yo-yoing prices make it hard for families to budget.
"That's why Friends of the Earth's Final Demand Campaign is calling on Cameron to launch an urgent inquiry into the Big Six's power and influence to give us energy we can all afford."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. In a Which? report published this week, British Gas, which is the largest energy provider in the UK, scored poorly with just two out of five on value for money.
2. As British Gas' electricity prices went up 16 per cent in 2011, even with today's announcement of a five per cent cut this still equates to a 10.2 per cent increase in the last six months.
3. Friends of the Earth's Final Demand campaign, which was launched in October last year, calls for energy we can all afford and a public inquiry into the power and influence of the Big Six energy companies.
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jan 2012
