Social Tariff

SwanJon

devon_guy wrote: »

I'm on BG essentials tariff and was told it's 15% cheaper than standard rates. Why do people give such different information from the same company??

If I've got the new essentials right, it will match BG's current cheapest tariff (just now that's websaver4).
However, prices are different throughout the country so the difference between standard and websaver could be more or less depending on where you live. It will also depend on what you are comparing with (DD, Weekly card, prepayment)

Perelandra

One of Ofgem's requirements for a tariff that is listed as a "Social Tariff" is that it must be the same as the cheapest option available from that supplier, regardless of payment type. So all companies that offers "Social Tariff" will need to reduce it, if their cheapest price goes down.

(this change was made in August 2008, so prior to that it wasn't a requirement).

jackieglasgow

devon_guy wrote: »

I'm on BG essentials tariff and was told it's 15% cheaper than standard rates. Why do people give such different information from the same company??

It might well be 15% on your rate, the rates are different depending on your region. Sorry I know this thread is a few days old, but thought this might still help.

joe134

Perelandra wrote: »

One of Ofgem's requirements for a tariff that is listed as a "Social Tariff" is that it must be the same as the cheapest option available from that supplier, regardless of payment type. So all companies that offers "Social Tariff" will need to reduce it, if their cheapest price goes down.

(this change was made in August 2008, so prior to that it wasn't a requirement).

As I told you earlier , I am on SP ,s social Tariff and it is 5% below their standard tariff and will always match their lowest tariff at any given time.This is a very good tariff, BUT, I can be better served elsewhere, "I think"?However it is not commonly advertised, and I don,t know if only existing SP customers qualify? If" I decide to stay with SP this tariff cannot be bettered, by SP, no matter what new rates they bring out. I,m starting to get like Craig now;turning native.

joe134

joe134 wrote: »

As I told you earlier , I am on SP ,s social Tariff and it is 5% below their standard tariff and will always match their lowest tariff at any given time.This is a very good tariff, BUT, I can be better served elsewhere, "I think"?However it is not commonly advertised, and I don,t know if only existing SP customers qualify? If" I decide to stay with SP this tariff cannot be bettered, by SP, no matter what new rates they bring out. I,m starting to get like Craig now;turning native.

If as you say your parents are already on BG,s social tariff, then, rest assured, they will be on BG,s best tariff, as the criteria applies across all the compaies that offer a social tariff.If they are happy with BG, then they are on the best deal, disregard %,s, they are only there to confuse people, companies do not like social tariffs, that,s why they are rarely advertised, always have to enquire about them. Hope this helps mate.

galba

My SP Fixed 2010 expires in January and I had a call from the sales guy this afternoon. I was told that as I was over 65 I could qualify for their social tariff, ....err how do they know my DoB ? Anyway my wife does receive DLA so he said we could have it - and they didn't need any proof which is a bit surprising.

Tariff is guaranteed to be the same as their lowest current tariff although there are no discounts for on-line billing and DD payment. I could revert to paying quarterly on receipt of bill if I wanted to but will stay with on-line billing and DD - I have found it to be much less hassle to be able to provide my own readings and download bills in pdf format.

The tariff rates he gave me suggest a quarterly increase of just £2-£4 on what I have been paying since January 2007.

Standing charge 12.67p/day and 8.142p/kWh.

savemoney

That varies from tariff I am on with BG

Gas tariff Tier 1 (up to 1143 kWh) 4.192p per kWh
Gas tariff Tier 2 (above 1143 kWh) 2.314p per kWh

Electric tariff Tier 1(up to 225 kWh) 16.120p kWh
Electric tariff Tier 2(above 225 kWh) 10.329p kWh

Gerrard_8_lfc wrote: »

Hey guys update after getting into detail I got my mother put on the essentials the guy on the phone said it would be 20% cheaper for gas and electric which seems rather good. here are the rates

Gas

Tier 1 - 4.737 (670 per Quarter)
Tier 2 - 2.873

Elec

Tier 1 - 15.275 (125 per quarter)
Tier 2 - 9.067

Cardew

savemoney wrote: »

That varies from tariff I am on with BG

Gas tariff Tier 1 (up to 1143 kWh) 4.192p per kWh
Gas tariff Tier 2 (above 1143 kWh) 2.314p per kWh

Electric tariff Tier 1(up to 225 kWh) 16.120p kWh
Electric tariff Tier 2(above 225 kWh) 10.329p kWh

As you have the higher Tier1 allocations(1143/225 instead of 670/125) you presumably are on an older tariff.

Electricity prices do vary according to where you live as well.

savemoney

I was put on that tariff about October last year. I know prices vary supplier and area, I didnt think it varied for social tariffs per area with said supplier. Obviously I was wrong in that assumption