Consumers lose cheapest energy deal on market

British Gas has revealed that it is pulling its cheapest energy plan - Click Energy 5 - off the market and putting prices up by £305 for those consumers already signed up to it. It is also bringing out a new online plan - Click Energy 6. Both moves mean that cash strapped consumers will no longer be able to get the highly competitive Click 5 rate, which would have helped them keep winter energy bills at a minimum.

Ann Robinson, Consumer Policy Director at uSwitch.com, says: "This is a blow for cash strapped consumers who have just seen the most competitive energy deal disappear from under their noses. It proves that consumers need to keep on top of the deals on offer if they are to minimise the impact of soaring energy prices this winter.

"Consumers must not be put off by British Gas' move today - online plans are still the best option for worried consumers as they are £178 cheaper on average than suppliers' standard plans. With winter approaching, my advice is to make sure you are paying the lowest possible price for your household energy and learn to use less of it. Paying by direct debit and moving to an online plan will still cut your energy bills - but you need to act now."