How SwitchInsights reviewed British Gas: we looked at five things that actually shape what a customer pays and experiences - tariff pricing vs the Ofgem cap, how the app and billing behave day to day, complaints data from Citizens Advice and Trustpilot, the HomeCare engineering offer, and the Hive smart home range. The review gets an update when Ofgem moves the cap, Citizens Advice publishes a new scorecard, or British Gas changes its tariffs or HomeCare offer in a meaningful way.
British Gas review: the short version
British Gas remains the UK's largest gas supplier, with approximately 10 million customers and a 27% share of the domestic gas market. The brand operates as a subsidiary of Centrica plc, the FTSE 100 group that also owns Hive, Dyno and a 15% strategic stake in Sizewell C. In Scotland the brand trades as Scottish Gas - identical tariffs, identical parent.
Households that have not switched in several years are typically sitting on a standard variable tariff at the energy price cap, which is the regulatory maximum Ofgem permits. A British Gas fixed deal, or a competitor's fixed deal, can deliver meaningful savings. Engineers attract consistently positive reviews; the billing platform and online account tools are where most negative reviews originate.
British Gas tariffs 2026
British Gas offers a standard variable tariff anchored to the energy price cap, alongside fixed deals and a growing range of time-of-use tariffs aimed at EV owners, heat pump households and solar generators. Customers typically pay by direct debit. Time-of-use options require a smart meter, and fixed tariffs carry a £75 per fuel early exit fee.
Heads up: rates and tariff names below are indicative as of 7 April 2026 (publication date) and may have moved since. Always check the British Gas website for the latest figures and availability before switching.
| Tariff | Type | Key rate / feature | Exit fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard variable (SVT) | Variable | Tracks Ofgem cap; 24.67p elec, 5.74p gas (Q2 2026) | None | No commitment |
| Cap Tracker | Variable | Moves with the cap each quarter; below SVT | Low | Small saving, flexible |
| Simply Fixed | Fixed | Locked unit rates; 1-2 year terms | £75/fuel | Price certainty |
| EV Power | EV | 9p/kWh midnight-5am; whole home rate | Standard | Any car or charger |
| EV Power+ | EV | 7.9p/kWh with Hive EV Charger | Standard | Hive charger owners |
| Heat Power | Heat pump | Half-price elec 10 hrs a day | None | Heat pump households |
| PeakSave Sundays | Add-on | 50% off elec 11am-4pm Sundays | N/A | Smart meter homes |
British Gas EV tariff and EV Power
EV Power charges 9p/kWh between midnight and 5am, with the entire household placed on the off-peak rate rather than just the vehicle circuit. EV Power+ reduces this to 7.9p/kWh provided you install the Hive EV Charger. EDF GoElectric undercuts both at 6.99p/kWh, and Octopus Intelligent Go sits at 8p/kWh, but the British Gas EV proposition operates with any vehicle or charger model - without an app dependency or supported-vehicle list.
British Gas fixed tariff and standing charge
Simply Fixed locks unit rates for either one or two years, while Cap Tracker recalibrates each quarter alongside the energy price cap and consistently sits marginally below the standard variable rate. The daily standing charge varies according to your distribution region. If you have a recent bill to hand, you can analyse your current bill to determine precisely what you are paying relative to the cap.
British Gas Hive smart home
Hive is Centrica's proprietary smart home ecosystem, encompassing thermostats, smart plugs, cameras, EV chargers and lighting controls within a single application, with native compatibility for Alexa and Google Home. Pairing the Hive EV Charger with a British Gas tariff unlocks the discounted 7.9p/kWh EV Power+ overnight rate.
British Gas HomeCare review
HomeCare represents the strongest pillar of the British Gas proposition. With more than 6,000 engineers nationally, annual boiler services and 24/7 emergency cover, the engineering network is genuinely difficult for newer suppliers to replicate. Engineers attract consistent praise, although the billing platform encountered considerable disruption in 2025 following Centrica's in-house systems migration.
The 2023 prepayment meter scandal
In February 2023, The Times published undercover footage depicting British Gas warrant officers forcibly installing prepayment meters in the homes of demonstrably vulnerable customers. British Gas, Scottish Power and OVO collectively accounted for 70% of forced installations under warrant in the period reviewed. The supplier subsequently suspended the practice, terminated the Arvato contract and introduced mandatory body cameras. From November 2023 the resulting protections became mandatory across the entire industry.
British Gas complaints and customer service
Citizens Advice Q4 2025: British Gas ranked 14th of 16 suppliers, with the lowest scores on billing, metering and complaint resolution.
Trustpilot sits at 4.4 stars from over 333,000 reviews. Throughout 2025, British Gas registered 596,931 complaints - a 20.75% reduction against 2024, equating to roughly 6 complaints per 100 customers annually, which exceeds Octopus's complaint rate but represents substantial improvement on prior periods.
Where British Gas wins: Engineering and HomeCare. Complaint handling (highly commended by Expert Reviews 2025). Uswitch Best Overall Improvement 2024 and 2025.
British Gas pros and cons
Strengths
- UK's largest engineering network: 6,000+ engineers, 24/7 cover
- Hive smart home pairs well with British Gas supply
- EV Power works with any car or charger
- Complaints fell 20%+ in 2025
- British Gas Energy Trust helps customers in debt
- Heat Power gives heat pumps 10 off-peak hours a day
Weaknesses
- 596,931 complaints in 2025
- 14th of 16 on Citizens Advice scorecard (Q4 2025)
- Billing migration caused disruption in 2025
- EV rate (9p) undercut by EDF (6.99p) and Octopus (8p)
- Only ~20% renewable in standard fuel mix
- Website and app rate below average for usability
Should I switch from British Gas?
Households on a default British Gas tariff at the Q2 2026 cap of £1,641 are paying the regulatory maximum permitted. A British Gas fixed deal can deliver savings; a competitor's fixed deal will frequently deliver more. Switching to British Gas remains a rational choice for households prioritising HomeCare cover, an established Hive smart home, or an EV incompatible with Octopus Intelligent Go - delivering peace of mind alongside a robust service network. For pure price, Octopus Energy and E.ON Next consistently score higher across independent measures.
Frequently asked questions
Is British Gas any good in 2026?
British Gas has improved. Complaints fell 20%+ in 2025 and Uswitch named them Best Overall Improvement two years in a row. They still rank 14th of 16 on the Citizens Advice scorecard. The strongest part is HomeCare and Hive, not price.
Should I switch from British Gas?
Start with your tariff, not your supplier. A British Gas fixed deal or a rival's fixed deal can both save money. If you use HomeCare, Hive kit or an EV that does not fit Octopus Intelligent Go, staying is rational. For best price, Octopus Energy and E.ON Next score higher.
What British Gas tariffs are on offer in 2026?
A standard variable tariff at the energy price cap, fixed deals (Simply Fixed, Cap Tracker), and time-of-use options: EV Power (9p/kWh), EV Power+ (7.9p/kWh with Hive charger), Heat Power (half-price elec 10 hrs/day for heat pumps), and PeakSave Sundays. Fixed tariffs carry a £75 per fuel exit fee.
How much is the British Gas standing charge?
The daily standing charge follows the Ofgem cap and varies by region. In Q2 2026 electricity sits at 50p-70p per day, gas around 30p. Check your bill or online account for the exact figure.
British Gas vs Octopus: which is cheaper?
For pure price, Octopus is usually cheaper. Octopus Tracker, Intelligent Go and Agile beat British Gas on most days. British Gas wins on engineer-led service and Hive, not rates.
Is Scottish Gas the same as British Gas?
Yes. Scottish Gas is the trading name British Gas uses in Scotland. Tariffs, customer service and parent (Centrica) are the same; only branding differs.
For more context, see our energy supplier complaints league table, our look at what energy companies earn from your bills, and the April 2026 price cap explainer.