Variable Price Plan (VPP): what British Gas charges a business after its fixed contract ends
British Gas Trading Limited (Business). Citizens Advice rank #6 of 16
British Gas out-of-contract rates 2026
British Gas business out-of-contract electricity is 40.65p per kWh with a 203.88p daily standing charge, and gas is 10.54p per kWh on 182.6p a day. This is British Gas' Variable Price Plan, which applies when a fixed contract ends and nothing new is signed, from 24 May 2026. We checked them against British Gas' own schedule on 3 November 2026.
Latest published rates
Effective 24 May 2026
British Gas out-of-contract rates for business electricity and gas, by published schedule
Schedule
Electricity
Gas
Variable Price Plan (VPP)Fixed contract endedShown above
40.65p/kWh203.88 p/day standing chargeFrom 24 May 2026
10.54p/kWh182.60 p/day standing chargeFrom 24 May 2026
Deemed ratesMoved in without a contract
41.95p/kWh214.94 p/day standing chargeFrom 1 October 2026
13.09p/kWh182.99 p/day standing chargeFrom 1 October 2026
Standard Variable Rates (SVR)Bespoke (large or corporate) plan ended
27.98p/kWh333.54 p/day standing chargeFrom 24 May 2026
7.63p/kWh552.46 p/day standing chargeFrom 24 May 2026
Variable Price Plan (VPP), electricity: Variable Price Plan, Whole Current (all profile classes), TCR Bands 0-4, effective 24 May 2026. The same 203.88 p/day applies in every TCR band. Low voltage network meters pay 38.46 p/kWh. One national price. Source
Variable Price Plan (VPP), gas: Variable Price Plan, consumption band 0-73,199 kWh, effective 24 May 2026. The 73,200 to 732,000 kWh band pays 9.09 p/kWh on 842.57 p/day. One national price. Source
Deemed rates, electricity: Deemed contract, Whole Current (all profile classes), all TCR bands, effective 1 October 2026. From 1 October 2026 British Gas prints one Whole Current row (all profile classes) at 214.94 p/day in every TCR band. Unmetered supply is 44.61 p/kWh with no standing charge. One national price. Source
Deemed rates, gas: Deemed contract, small non-daily meter (AQ under 73,200 kWh), effective 1 October 2026. Large non-daily meters (AQ 73,200 kWh and over) pay 8.49 p/kWh on 844.84 p/day. Daily-metered sites pay 7.56 p/kWh. Source
Standard Variable Rates (SVR), electricity: Standard Variable Rates, non-half-hourly Profile Class 01-04, effective 24 May 2026. Profile Class 05-08 and half-hourly whole current meters pay 27.80 p/kWh on 614.06 p/day. One national price for non-half-hourly meters. Source
Standard Variable Rates (SVR), gas: Standard Variable Rates, small non-daily meter (AQ under 732,000 kWh), effective 24 May 2026. The SVR small band runs to 732,000 kWh a year, ten times the deemed small band. Larger non-daily meters pay 7.48 p/kWh on 6,752.16 p/day. Source
Schedule effective
24 May 2026
Unchanged for 6 months.
We last checked
3 November 2026
Where these come from
Supplier's own published rate schedule
British Gas uses three price lists. A small business (including British Gas Lite) whose fixed plan ends moves to the Variable Price Plan, shown here. A large or corporate business on a bespoke plan moves to Standard Variable Rates. A business that moves in without a contract pays deemed rates. The Variable Price Plan has not changed since 24 May 2026.
Last reviewed 3 November 2026. Always verify rates with the supplier before relying on them.
What British Gas calls it, and when it applies
British Gas uses three price lists for businesses without a fixed contract. If your small business plan (including British Gas Lite) ended without a new one, you pay its Variable Price Plan (VPP). If you were on a bespoke plan, usually a larger business, you pay Standard Variable Rates (SVR). If you moved into a British Gas site without a contract, you pay its deemed rates. Your bill names the plan you are on.
British Gas says: “If you've been on one of our fixed plans and not agreed a new contract before it ends, you'll be put on our Variable Price Plan. Also known as a VPP or out of contract rates.” Source
British Gas' Standard Variable Rates for business electricity were 20.64p per kWh in October 2019. They peaked at 124.5p in October 2022 and are 27.98p from May 2026.
For gas, British Gas charged 3.58p per kWh in October 2019, peaked at 33p in October 2022, and charges 7.63p from May 2026.
We found 10 schedules in this period. The longest stretch without a change was 18 months, from October 2019 to April 2021.
Electricity
British Gas Standard Variable Rates, business electricity, pence per kWh. The latest step is 27.98p from May 2026.
British Gas Standard Variable Rates, business electricity, every published schedule we found, newest first
Every figure is read from British Gas's own published schedule, either from its own document library or the copy saved by the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. Each link opens the document we read. A dash in the change column means the supplier changed how it quotes the rate, so the two rows are not like for like.
The date that matters most is your notice date, not your end date, because missing it can roll you onto a new term or onto the rates above. Find it on your contract or bill, then get prices well before it. Our guide covers what to do when your business energy contract ends, whether you have six months left or it ended last week.
What are British Gas business out-of-contract rates?
British Gas business out-of-contract electricity is 40.65p per kWh with a 203.88p daily standing charge, and gas is 10.54p per kWh on 182.6p a day. This is British Gas' Variable Price Plan, which applies when a fixed contract ends and nothing new is signed, from 24 May 2026. We checked them against British Gas' own schedule on 3 November 2026. Rates can vary by region and meter type, so check the row for your site on British Gas' own schedule before relying on them.
Is British Gas' deemed rate the same as its out-of-contract rate?
No. British Gas publishes its Variable Price Plan, which applies when a fixed contract ends and nothing new is signed, and a separate Deemed rates list (moved in without a contract). The Deemed rates are electricity at 41.95p per kWh on 214.94p a day and gas at 13.09p per kWh on 182.99p a day, from 1 October 2026.
How often does British Gas change its out-of-contract rates?
We found 10 published versions of British Gas' Standard Variable Rates between October 2019 and May 2026. The longest stretch without a change was 18 months, from October 2019 to April 2021. Every one is listed in the history table on this page, with the archived copy we read it from.
How do I get off British Gas out-of-contract rates?
Sign a new fixed contract, with British Gas or another supplier. On a variable or out-of-contract rate you can usually switch at any time, although a supplier can object if you owe it money. Our guide to what to do when your business energy contract ends covers each step.
Who owns British Gas?
BRITISH GAS TRADING LIMITED (Companies House number 03078711) is part of Centrica plc, incorporated on 6 July 1995.
What is British Gas' credit rating and financial position?
Based on the latest filed accounts at Companies House, BRITISH GAS TRADING LIMITED has a credit score of 39/100, a derived risk band of Concern, a recommended credit limit of £20m, turnover of £14.5bn (FY24). Full figures and source filings are in the business profile section above.
What is British Gas' registered office and how do I contact them?
BRITISH GAS TRADING LIMITED's registered office is Millstream Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5GD. Public contact details: telephone +443332023307, email generalenquiry@britishgas.co.uk. For broker enquiries via Purely Energy, see the contact panel above.
What are British Gas' turnover and financial accounts?
BRITISH GAS TRADING LIMITED's most recently filed accounts (year ending 2024) show turnover of £14.5bn, operating profit of £291m, total assets of £8.4bn, 6,970 employees. Annual accounts are filed at Companies House and refreshed in our profile monthly.
Is British Gas safe for business customers?
BRITISH GAS TRADING LIMITED holds a valid Ofgem electricity and gas supply licence, files audited accounts at Companies House, with latest turnover of £14.5bn, ranked #6 of 16 in Citizens Advice's most recent non-domestic supplier league table, 5 county court judgements on file (see the risk signals above). We do not give financial advice; verify the latest filings and any recent enforcement actions before signing a long-term contract.
How does British Gas score on the Citizens Advice complaints league table?
Citizens Advice ranked British Gas #6 of 16 in their most recent quarterly non-domestic supplier league table, with a complaints score of 196.7 per 10,000 customers. Lower numbers are better. The table is published quarterly and is the most cited independent measure of UK non-domestic supplier service quality.
Can I get a fixed business gas or electricity quote from British Gas via Purely Energy?
Yes. As an independent broker we tender against British Gas alongside our panel of 19 UK suppliers. Each quote breaks the unit price into wholesale energy, non-commodity costs, supplier margin, and our broker margin so you see exactly what you are paying. Request a comparison via the buttons above.
At a glance
BRITISH GAS TRADING LIMITED (Companies House 03078711) is the licensed UK retail entity owned by Centrica plc. Registered office: Millstream Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5GD. Latest filed turnover £14.5bn (year ending 2024) with 6,970 employees. Citizens Advice ranks British Gas #6 of 16 UK non-domestic suppliers in their most recent league table.
Last verified 7 May 2026 · Sources: Companies House (03078711), Citizens Advice non-domestic league table, Ofgem licence register.
Sourced from British Gas's official contact page. Verify before relying on these details for billing or contract-end disputes.
British Gas Business is the commercial arm of British Gas Trading Limited, part of Centrica plc. The brand traces back to 1812 and is the largest UK domestic supplier by customer count, with a long-established business desk supplying gas, electricity and metering services.
Parent
Centrica plc
Founded
1812
Headquarters
Windsor
Latest revenue
Not published
British Gas business profile
Independent company data for the licensed retail entity, drawn from the latest filed accounts and statutory registers. Refreshed monthly. Not a credit recommendation.
Last refreshed 7 May 2026
Risk band
Concern
Score 39/100
Below-average profile. Verify trading status and supplier viability with care.
Recommended credit limit
£20m
Provider's guidance, not a Purely Energy recommendation.
Turnover (latest filed)
£14.5bn
Year ending 31 December 2024
Total assets
£8.4bn
Creditor days 5
Headcount (filed)
6,970
As of 31 December 2024
Growth score
59/100
Next accounts due
30 September 2026
5-year financial trend
Turnover CAGR +15.1% over 4 years
Year ending
Turnover
YoY
Operating profit
EBITDA
Total assets
Employees
31 December 2024
£14.5bn
-32.0%
£291m
£340m
£8.4bn
6,970
31 December 2023
£21.4bn
+33.3%
£1.2bn
£1.2bn
£10.9bn
6,409
31 December 2022
£16bn
+77.5%
£230m
£324m
£14.3bn
6,086
31 December 2021
£9bn
+9.0%
£-128m
£-14m
£14.8bn
6,052
31 December 2020
£8.3bn
-
£-142m
£-23m
£6bn
7,456
Sourced from filed accounts at Companies House. YoY = year-on-year turnover change. CAGR = compound annual growth rate across the window shown.
We are an independent UK B2B energy broker. Profile data is sourced from the public registers above and refreshed monthly. Not a credit recommendation. Verify recent filings before relying on any figure.
We run your consumption against the UK market and come back with the best fit, with wholesale price, non-commodity costs, supplier margin and our margin shown separately on every quote.
