Energy News

Scottish Power: Last to cut gas prices

Thursday, 11 March 2010

By Daniel Barnes- daniel@consumerchoices.co.uk

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All energy firms have now cut gas prices so it is time to compare deals and switch.

Scottish Power is the final energy firm to announce a gas price cut this spring.

The firm is hacking 8% off its energy bills from 31 March, following recent moves from, EDF, Npower, E.ON and Scottish and Southern.

Customers should shop to ensure the tariffs they sign up for are the best deals

Scottish Power claims the price cut will save customers £66 a year and makes the provider’s gas cheaper than British Gas.

Scottish Power has also announced a new £50 rebate for 60,000 vulnerable customers who use electric heating.

Raymond Jack, Scottish Power director of energy retail, said: “To get the most from our new lower prices we would also encourage all of our customers to make sure they are taking advantage of our best deals.

“By making simple changes to the way they pay and by choosing to manage their account online, Scottish Power customers could make further savings.”

The move makes Scottish Power the last to cut gas prices.

In February British Gas cut 7% off its gas prices, while the last week has seen the remaining players reduce prices.

Last week E.ON announced a 6% cut from 31 March, Scottish and Southern Energy cut 4% from 29 March and this week Npower revealed a 7% cut from 26 March. Yesterday EDF cut gas prices by 4% also from 26 March.

Gareth Kloet, head of utilities at Confused.com, said: “This is yet another example of energy companies having a ‘spring sale’, the equivalent of discounting winter clothing at the end of the season - too little too late.

“With all of the big six now having shown their hand, it's hard to believe that these huge companies are able to advertise the fact that they are cutting prices, when they are failing to actually proceed with the cuts until sometime later - when it's likely to have less benefit to the customer.”

He added: “Now with so many competitive prices out there, customers should shop to ensure the tariffs they sign up for are the best deals available to them.”