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EDF to lower its gas bills by 10% | EDF to lower its gas bills by 10% |
(about 2 hours later) | |
EDF Energy has become the latest energy supplier to announce a price cut, saying it will reduce its gas bills by more than 10%. | EDF Energy has become the latest energy supplier to announce a price cut, saying it will reduce its gas bills by more than 10%. |
It said the move, which comes into effect on 15 June, will cut the average bill of those customers who buy both gas and electricity by £63 a year. | It said the move, which comes into effect on 15 June, will cut the average bill of those customers who buy both gas and electricity by £63 a year. |
But the French-owned firm said it would not be reducing its electricity prices. | But the French-owned firm said it would not be reducing its electricity prices. |
Last week, energy watchdog Ofgem publicly urged EDF customers to switch supplier in order to save money. | Last week, energy watchdog Ofgem publicly urged EDF customers to switch supplier in order to save money. |
Industry-wide cuts | Industry-wide cuts |
Ofgem said EDF and Scottish Power had failed to pass on this year's reduction in wholesale prices. | Ofgem said EDF and Scottish Power had failed to pass on this year's reduction in wholesale prices. |
We listen very carefully to what our customers are telling us EDF boss Vincent de Rivaz | We listen very carefully to what our customers are telling us EDF boss Vincent de Rivaz |
EDF's announcement means that Scottish Power is now the only firm among the "big six" UK energy suppliers not to have cut prices since British Gas first reduced its bills in February. | EDF's announcement means that Scottish Power is now the only firm among the "big six" UK energy suppliers not to have cut prices since British Gas first reduced its bills in February. |
EDF - which has 5.5 million UK customers - said it would not be reducing its electricity prices because its electricity bills saw the smallest price rises compared with competitors last year. | EDF - which has 5.5 million UK customers - said it would not be reducing its electricity prices because its electricity bills saw the smallest price rises compared with competitors last year. |
The firm's chief executive, Vincent de Rivaz, described its cut in gas prices as a "sensible move". | The firm's chief executive, Vincent de Rivaz, described its cut in gas prices as a "sensible move". |
"We listen very carefully to what our customers are telling us," he said. | "We listen very carefully to what our customers are telling us," he said. |
"Over recent years our customers have benefited from our careful management which has protected them from the highest prices." | "Over recent years our customers have benefited from our careful management which has protected them from the highest prices." |
However, some analysts questioned whether EDF was right not to also cut electricity prices, wondering whether it will lose customers as a result. | However, some analysts questioned whether EDF was right not to also cut electricity prices, wondering whether it will lose customers as a result. |
Price comparison website Energyhelpline was also critical that EDF is not introducing the gas price cut immediately. | |
British Gas announced a further price cut last week, reducing its electricity bills by an additional 6% and gas by 3%, with immediate effect. | British Gas announced a further price cut last week, reducing its electricity bills by an additional 6% and gas by 3%, with immediate effect. |
The UK's other main electricity and gas suppliers are Npower, Powergen, and Scottish & Southern Energy. | The UK's other main electricity and gas suppliers are Npower, Powergen, and Scottish & Southern Energy. |