Licensee secures £1,400 electricity VAT rebate after PMA intervention

Joseph Currie of the Hare & Hounds in Lothersdale, Keighley, West Yorkshire, said he had been back and forth filling out forms for the utility provider since May.

He said at first he sent a couple of forms that British Gas claimed it never received. He then spoke to someone who said she would look out for a form from him and let him know that it had been received. He said a lady called him to say that the company had received the form.

However, nearly three months later, Currie said he had received no correspondence from British Gas.

He called the company two weeks ago to track the progress of his claim only to find out that British Gas could not process the rebate because he had not filled in the date on which his contract with the company began.

When the PMA contacted British Gas, the energy giant called Currie to arrange another form to be filled out via email. On Monday last week (15 October) Currie received the rebate.

Currie said: “I feel as though British Gas was trying to get out of paying me. I recently switched supplier to Scottish Power, which started taking off the costs on my bill straight away with no fuss.

“I’m happy this has now been sorted, but it’s just a shame that it’s taken nearly eight months. I would advise [other licensees in the same boat] to just keep at it. It’s what you are entitled to.”

British Gas was unwilling to comment.