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| Gas use up 18% on cold weather, British Gas says | Gas use up 18% on cold weather, British Gas says |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Centrica, which owns British Gas, says gas use in the first four months of 2013 was almost a fifth higher than last year because of the cold weather. | Centrica, which owns British Gas, says gas use in the first four months of 2013 was almost a fifth higher than last year because of the cold weather. |
| The company said UK residential gas use was up 18%, and electricity use by 3%. | The company said UK residential gas use was up 18%, and electricity use by 3%. |
| It said "any benefit arising from the exceptionally cold weather will be used to maintain our price competitiveness", suggesting that domestic energy prices may stay on hold for now. | It said "any benefit arising from the exceptionally cold weather will be used to maintain our price competitiveness", suggesting that domestic energy prices may stay on hold for now. |
| It also said it had signed up 28,000 more residential customers this year. | |
| Centrica said the cold weather had also affected its services business, which had seen costs rise because of a higher number of call outs. | |
| The company said the weak economy was also having an effect, with fewer people installing new heating systems. | |
| However, it added that said it expected full-year profits to be in line with forecasts. | |
| Last year, the company faced criticism for increasing its prices. British Gas raised its gas and electricity charges by 6% in November. | Last year, the company faced criticism for increasing its prices. British Gas raised its gas and electricity charges by 6% in November. |
| Centrica's statement said: "Recognising the economic pressures facing many of our customers, the board has determined that any benefit arising from the exceptionally cold weather will be used to maintain our price competitiveness. | |
| "As a result of this decision, we expect the residential energy supply business to deliver an operating profit for the full year in line with expectations, weighted towards the first half." | |
| A spokesman said: "We will use that [cold weather benefit] to effectively hold prices for as long as possible." |