Ofgem has appointed British Gas as Supplier of Last Resort after Tomato Energy ceased trading. Here’s what affected households and businesses need to know today, including tariff, credit and switching guidance.
UK — Monday, 10 November 2025: Energy regulator Ofgem has appointed British Gas to take over supply to Tomato Energy’s customers after the supplier confirmed it had ceased trading. The move covers around 15,000 domestic and 8,000 non‑domestic accounts (circa 23,000 in total). Ofgem says supply will continue as normal, and domestic credit balances are protected. Customers were switched to British Gas on Sunday, 9 November 2025, with account setup to follow in the coming days. [1]
Centrica, British Gas’s parent company, said it is setting up accounts and will contact customers directly, advising there is no need for Tomato Energy customers to get in touch at this stage. The transfer is being handled under Ofgem’s Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) process. [2]
Key points at a glance
- Who is taking over? British Gas, appointed by Ofgem under the SoLR process. [3]
- How many customers? ~15,000 households and 8,000 businesses across the UK. [4]
- Is my supply safe? Yes. There is no interruption to energy supply. [5]
- What about my money?Domestic customers’ credit balances are protected; business credit balances are not guaranteed under the Safety Net. [6]
- Can I switch? Yes — no exit fees apply — but Ofgem advises waiting until the transfer is complete. [7]
What Tomato Energy customers should do today
- Take a meter reading and keep a photo or note for your records. This helps ensure accurate opening/closing bills. [8]
- Wait to be contacted by British Gas. You don’t need to call them; they’ll write to you once your account is set up. [9]
- Don’t switch immediately. Ofgem recommends waiting until your account is live with British Gas; then you’re free to switch without exit fees. [10]
- Direct debits & billing: British Gas will explain how it will handle your payments, any credit refunds and any outstanding debt. [11]
- Business customers: You’ll also move to British Gas on a deemed contract. You can switch at any time with no exit fee, but note business credit balances aren’t protected by Ofgem’s Safety Net (you may need to contact the administrator to reclaim). [12]
What tariff will I be on with British Gas?
Ofgem says Tomato Energy customers will be placed onto a competitive tariff with British Gas. For domestic customers, rates are protected by the Energy Price Cap, and no exit fees apply if you later switch. Once British Gas has set up your account, ask to be moved to their cheapest available tariff or compare deals on the market. [13]
Credit balances and debt: how protection works
- Domestic customers:Current and former domestic customers’ credit balances are protected where accounts are in credit. If you’re owed money, British Gas will outline the refund process once your account is migrated. [14]
- Business customers:Business credit balances are not covered by Ofgem’s Safety Net. Ofgem will try to appoint a supplier that covers some or all balances, but it isn’t guaranteed; you may need to claim via the administrator. [15]
Timeline: how we got here
- 14 Oct 2025: Ofgem published a Notice of Proposal to impose a £1.5m penalty on Tomato Energy after concerns over capital and liquidity. [16]
- 5 Nov 2025: Tomato Energy confirmed it had ceased trading; Ofgem initiated the SoLR process. [17]
- 9 Nov 2025: Customers began to be supplied by British Gas. [18]
- 10 Nov 2025: Ofgem formally appointed British Gas as SoLR and set out customer protections. [19]
Industry context: another failure in a reshaped retail market
Centrica’s chief executive Chris O’Shea said Tomato Energy’s collapse marks the 31st supplier failure since 2021, renewing calls for tougher enforcement of financial resilience and ring‑fencing customer funds. [20]
Ofgem, for its part, introduced new rules in August 2025 to reduce the burden of failures on bill‑payers by making failed suppliers liable for the costs of moving customers, signalling a tougher stance after the 2021–22 wave of collapses. [21]
FAQs
Will my energy stop?
No. Ofgem confirms there is no interruption to supply during the transfer. [22]
Do I need to cancel my Tomato Energy direct debit?
Wait for British Gas to contact you with instructions. They’ll confirm how payments and any credits or debts will be handled. [23]
Can I switch to another supplier now?
You can, but Ofgem advises waiting until British Gas has fully set up your account. You’ll not be charged exit fees if you switch later. [24]
What if I’m a business customer?
You’ll move to a deemed contract and can switch without exit fees once you’ve been contacted. Business credit balances aren’t guaranteed under the Safety Net; check with the administrator about any money owed. [25]
What British Gas says will happen next
British Gas says it is creating accounts automatically and will email or write to affected customers with next steps. In the meantime, keep a meter reading ready and wait for contact — there’s no need to call. The company has published a dedicated help page for incoming Tomato Energy customers. [26]
Bottom line
- Households: Your supply is safe, your credit is protected, and you’ll be moved to a price‑cap‑protected tariff at British Gas. No exit fees if you decide to switch later. [27]
- Businesses: You’ll be placed on a deemed contract and can switch freely, but credit protection isn’t guaranteed — monitor communications from British Gas and the administrator. [28]
This article was updated on 10 November 2025 to reflect Ofgem’s formal appointment of British Gas and the latest customer guidance. [29]
Sources: Ofgem press releases and guidance; Centrica/British Gas customer update. [30]
References
1. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 2. www.centrica.com, 3. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 4. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 5. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 6. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 7. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 8. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 9. www.centrica.com, 10. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 11. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 12. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 13. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 14. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 15. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 16. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 17. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 18. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 19. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 20. www.centrica.com, 21. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 22. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 23. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 24. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 25. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 26. www.centrica.com, 27. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 28. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 29. www.ofgem.gov.uk, 30. www.ofgem.gov.uk
