1 October 2008
The disappearance of the Click Energy 5 plan - the cheapest gas and electricity deal available from British Gas - comes as a "blow" to consumers, uSwitch.com has claimed. According to the independent price comparison and switching service, the plan would have helped many families keep their energy costs down this winter. But British Gas has pulled the deal, replacing it with a new online plan called Click Energy 6, which is reportedly more expensive than its predecessor. Consumers already signed up to Click Energy 5 will see their annual gas and electricity bill increase by £305, uSwitch.com calculated. "This is a blow for cash strapped consumers who have just seen the most competitive energy deal disappear from under their noses," said Anne Robinson, uSwitch.com's Consumer Policy Director. However, she said consumers should not be put off by the move as they can still find online plans that are around £178 cheaper than standard tariffs. In related news, Conservative Energy Spokesman Charles Hendry has defended high gas and electricity bills, insisting they are necessary to keep the country's lights on, the Daily Mail reports.