Why is BG's "cheapest option available" Standard Variable more expensive than others?

gunjin

I'm on a 2 year BG Evolve fix ending mid July 2023 and thought I'd check current tariff rates for a switch once this ends. Every non BG supplier is unsurprisingly offering the same 7.5p/kWh gas and 31p/kWh elec offer for my property. However BG's proposing to move me to their "cheapest option" which is their Standard Variable tariff which it cites as having 10.3p/kWh and 34.7p/kWh unit costs respectively. I know costs could fall in a few days but still wanted to get an idea what I'm going to be paying and am confused as to why BG don't have a tariff for me that's at the market rate... I am probably missing something but any ideas?

Also, I know I am going to move but do any suppliers have sign-up/referral bonuses to differentiate themselves if their tariffs are all the same?

CSI_Yorkshire

Are BG showing you today's variable price but the others are showing you Saturday's?

Spoonie_Turtle

Some suppliers have referral bonuses.

Octopus does, £50 for you and the referrer.

Either EDF or Eon do £25 each fuel (I can't remember which).
Not sure about any others.

gunjin

CSI_Yorkshire said:

Are BG showing you today's variable price but the others are showing you Saturday's?

Very possibly although there is zero indication for example on Octopus' page that they are doing this. I have now found another (ovo) showing the same higher rate so I guess we'll see on Sat.

jimmo

According to the emails I have received from BG over the last couple of days their new rates will be :-

Elec 30.27pkwh and 53.827pd
Gas 7.664pkwh and 29.106pd.

Gerry1

jimmo said:

According to the emails I have received from BG over the last couple of days their new rates will be :-

Elec 30.27pkwh and 53.827pd
Gas 7.664pkwh and 29.106pd.

Only in your region, which may vary from the OP's.

Gerry1

gunjin said:

Also, I know I am going to move

Remember to register with the existing supplier(s) at the new property and send them them meter readings (including water) on the day you take possession.

Insist on taking the readings yourself otherwise you may end up paying for usage by a previous occupant or during a void period.

You can then switch your energy supplier(s).

gunjin

British Gas are STILL showing my new "cheapest" standard variable rate as being 34.68p per kwh and 10.32p per kwh. Everyone else is the new lower rate of 7.5p/kWh gas and 31p/kWh elec...

Jyana

It's showing me the new prices just now when looked 


Could it be a cache/cookies issue?

frugalmacdugal

Hi,

I get this,

Gas details

Standing charge

29.106p per day*

Unit rate:

7.464p per kWh

Electricity details

Standing charge:

61.668p per day*

Unit rate:

29.667p per kWh

and offer of a fix,

Smart August24 v7

Exit fees:

£100.00 per fuel

(You won't pay an exit fee if you switch to another tariff with British Gas)

Gas details

Standing charge:

27.736p per day*

Unit rate:

7.634p per kW

Electricity details

Standing charge:

60.298p per day*

Unit rate:

30.196p per kWh

think I'll hang on until October, see how things are then.

gunjin

Jyana said:

It's showing me the new prices just now when looked 


Could it be a cache/cookies issue?

I thought that too but cleared cache and it's still the old amount. Contacted BG support who said it might be updated in the next few weeks. Def time to leave them!