EDF Energy issues major update to customers and says 'doing all we can'

Energy giant speaks out after bills increased at the start of October

EDF Energy says help will be available for customers struggling to pay their bills. The energy giant also said it was "doing all we can" to bring down bills but said a social tariff - discounted prices for poorer people - was needed.

EDF has pledged to support customers who are in debt this winter. Bosses spoke out after average bills increased by £149 from the start of October.

They pledged to work with customers in debt and offer them support to stay debt free. Philippe Commaret, managing director of customers at EDF, said: “Whilst the Ofgem price cap has reduced in three of the last four quarters, an October rise of 10% will have a significant impact on those who are already struggling.

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“We are doing all we can to reduce bills, however, to make a real long-term difference, we believe a social tariff is still needed. Only through meaningful Government and industry-wide intervention, paired with better data matching, such as a single cross-sector Priority Services Register, will affordability improve for those most in need.”

The company said another "long-term" solution to high energy bills was Government insulation schemes. It said: "EDF is helping to insulate homes across the country as part of both ECO and GBIS schemes through measures including home insulation, boiler upgrades, upgrading existing electric heating systems to a more energy-efficient option or adding an air source heat pump, all of which saves customers cash and carbon."

Mr Commaret added: “We are very supportive of the schemes, more people need help to insulate their homes. However, there are flaws with GBIS and we’ve recommended that Government broadens the scheme to allow multiple measures and open it up to more types of homes.”