Your energy, your way

• From 1st January 2019, the energy regulator Ofgem has set a ceiling on the maximum rate that energy companies can charge customers who are on a Default, Safeguard Temporary tariff.
• This is a pretty big change and we want you to understand what this means.
• The cap is set at £1,254 a year, based on typical usage for a customer who pays by direct debit on a dual fuel Standard tariff.
• Ofgem will review the level of the cap twice a year to see whether the level needs to be adjusted based on the price of energy and government policy costs.
• This means that your bills can go up as well as down as we will adjust our Default, Safeguard and Temporary tariff rates to broadly reflect the levels that Ofgem will set.
• The cap is due to expire at the end of 2020 with the possibility of an extension until 2023.
• This price cap will not apply to prepay tariffs which are already covered by the prepayment price cap introduced in April 2017

• A Standard tariff is your suppliers basic plan and will have variable rate. It has no exit fees and no fixed end date.
• British Gas closed its standard tariff to all new customers on 31 March 2018 and we’ve been encouraging customers who are still on this tariff to look at our fixed tariffs instead.
• We now have a temporary tariff which only customers who don’t make an active choice move on to. It’s not a tariff you can choose to be on. 

• No, the price cap limits the amount you can be charged for each unit of electricity or gas you use as well as the daily standing charge. Your annual bill will depend on how much energy you use.
• The £1,254 is an example of what an average household would pay and you may use more or less than this.

• Ofgem will review the level of the cap twice a year with any changes to the level expected to take effect on 1 April and 1 October each year.
• There are a number of external costs that go into an energy bill and these costs change on a regular basis.
• The level Ofgem sets the price cap takes into account a range of costs. These include the cost of buying energy on the wholesale markets, charges to maintain the pipes and wires that deliver energy to your home, operating and metering costs.
• Ofgem will review these costs when setting the level of the cap every six months. 

• If consumers choose to remain on a default tariff then Ofgem will set the maximum unit price they will pay for their energy. Or if they get to the end of a Fixed tariff and move onto the default tariff this maximum unit price will also apply.
• Alternatively, people can look at other tariffs that might be more suitable for them with their supplier or with another provider – such as Fixed rate tariff.
• With a Fixed rate tariff, customers will know what unit price they will pay for their energy for the entire fixed period, regardless of how and when Ofgem moves the level of the cap and suppliers adjust their pricing accordingly.

• If you are a customer on our default tariffs – Standard, Safeguard, or Temporary tariff - then Ofgem will set the maximum level you could be charged and review this price twice a year.
• However, we will still let you know about our other tariffs and how you can easily switch to a different one if you choose to.
• We offer a range of competitive tariffs and offers. You may prefer a tariff that also includes smart thermostat controls or boiler cover for instance.
• Or you may prefer one with a Fixed rate, for 1, 2 or 3 years, so you know the price you pay won’t change even if Ofgem changes the level of the price cap.

From 1st October 2018, pay as you go prices across the energy industry have been capped to limit how much pay as you go customers pay for their energy.  The level of the prepayment price cap is set by the regulator (Ofgem) and reviewed twice a year, every April and October, until 2020.

Following the latest review, we’re changing our energy prices for pay as you go customers on our Standard and Safeguard PAYG tariffs on 1st October 2018 to bring them in line with the cap.

Ofgem will review the prices every 6 months and may change the level of the cap. You will always receive written notification of any future increases in advance.

If you’re an existing British Gas prepayment customer on our Standard or Safeguard PAYG tariff we will have sent you a letter detailing the changes to your prices. You will be able to compare what you’re paying today and how this is going to change from 1st October 2018 including your new projection for the year ahead.

You fixed your prices when you entered into your contract. There will be no change to your unit rate or standing charge until your current contract ends.

No. Standard variable is currently our only prepayment tariff.  

If you’re an existing British Gas pay as you go customer we will be sending you a letter outlining the cheapest tariff for you. If you want to change your tariff to one that needs a different type of meter, we’ll need to do a meter exchange.

No. It will vary between gas and electricity. The level of the cap also depends on a customer’s consumption and where they live.

Yes you can speak to one of our Customer Service Advisors on 0333 202 9717. Phone lines are open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 8am-6pm on Saturday. Closed on Bank Holidays. We record calls to help improve our service to you. Calls to 0330/0333 numbers will cost you no more than 01 or 02 numbers from landlines or mobiles. If you get 'inclusive minutes' with your package, calls to 0330/0333 numbers will be part of these.