This page is about the former gas monopoly in the United Kingdom for information about the successor companies please see Centrica, BG Group and Transco. Centrica plc ( is a large multinational utility company based in the United Kingdom but also with interests in North America and Europe. BG Group Plc ( is an integrated oil and gas company which has its headquarters in Reading, England. National Grid plc ( is an international London -based utilities company which also operates in other countries principally its wholly owned subsidiary in the United States
| British Gas | |
|---|---|
.png/170px-British_Gas_(old).png){kind=small} |
|
| Type | Defunct |
| Founded | 1986 Dissolved 1997 |
| Headquarters | |
| Industry | Utilities |
| Products | Gas |
| Website | www.britishgas.co.uk |
British Gas plc was formerly the monopoly gas supplier in the United Kingdom. For other uses of this term see Industry (disambiguation An industry (from Latin industrius, "diligent industrious" A public utility (usually just utility) is an organization that maintains the Infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using In Marketing, a product is anything that can be offered to a Market that might satisfy a want or need This page is about the physical properties of gas as a state of matter A website (alternatively web site or Web site, a back-construction from the Proper noun World Wide Web) is a collection of Web pages In Economics, a monopoly (from Greek monos, alone or single + polein, to sell exists when a specific individual or enterprise has sufficient The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
Contents |
History
In the early 1900s the gas market in the United Kingdom was mainly run by county councils and small private firms.
In 1948 that all changed with The Gas Act 1948 brought in by Clement Attlee's Labour government. Clement Richard Attlee 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC ( 3 January 1883 &ndash 8 October 1967 The act nationalised the UK gas industry and 1062 privately owned and municipal gas companies were merged into twelve Area Gas Boards each a separate body with its own management structure. Each Area Board was divided into geographical groups or divisions which were often further divided into smaller districts. These boards simply became known as the "Gas Board", a term people still use when referring to British Gas.
During the 1950s the use of gas increased greatly with British Gas creating high street showrooms to promote the use of gas. The Scottish Gas Board was a state-owned utility providing gas for light and heat to industries and homes in Scotland. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Northumberland is a county in the North East of England. The non-metropolitan county of Northumberland borders Cumbria to the west Cumberland is one of the 39 Historic counties of England. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 (excluding Carlisle from 1915 and now forms part of Westmorland (formerly also spelt Westmoreland, an even older spelling is Westmerland) is an area of north-west England and one of the 39 Historic counties The North Riding of Yorkshire was one of the three historic subdivisions of the English county of Yorkshire, alongside the East and West Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea Cheshire (or archaically the County of Chester) is a county in North West England. Cumberland is one of the 39 Historic counties of England. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 (excluding Carlisle from 1915 and now forms part of History The area that is now Derbyshire was first visited probably briefly by humans 200000 years ago during the Aveley Interglacial as evidenced by a Middle Shropshire (ˈʃrɒpʃɪə/ /-ʃə alternatively known as Salop or abbreviated in print only Shrops, is a county in the Westmorland (formerly also spelt Westmoreland, an even older spelling is Westmerland) is an area of north-west England and one of the 39 Historic counties The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. The North Riding of Yorkshire was one of the three historic subdivisions of the English county of Yorkshire, alongside the East and West The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. York ( is an historic Walled city sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. Ancient county See also Monmouthshire (historic The ancient county of Monmouthshire was formed from the Welsh Marches by the Laws in Wales Cheshire (or archaically the County of Chester) is a county in North West England. Constitution Herefordshire was reconstituted both as a new Non-metropolitan district (effective 19th July 1996 and as a new County comprising the area of the Leicestershire (ˈlɛstəʃə(r or ˈlɛstəʃɪə(r abbreviation Leics Shropshire (ˈʃrɒpʃɪə/ /-ʃə alternatively known as Salop or abbreviated in print only Shrops, is a county in the Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. Geography Warwickshire is bounded to the northwest by the West Midlands Metropolitan county and Staffordshire, by Leicestershire to Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um Worcestershire (ˈwʊstəʃə abbreviated Worcs) is a county located in the West Midlands region of central England. Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs) is a county in the east of England. Nottinghamshire (abbreviated Notts) is an English county in the East Midlands, which borders South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire Rutland is a county of mainland England, bounded on the west and north by Leicestershire, northeast by Lincolnshire, and southeast by Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. Buckinghamshire (abbreviated Bucks) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. History The area that is now Derbyshire was first visited probably briefly by humans 200000 years ago during the Aveley Interglacial as evidenced by a Middle Leicestershire (ˈlɛstəʃə(r or ˈlɛstəʃɪə(r abbreviation Leics Northamptonshire (or archaically the County of Northampton; abbreviated Northants Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. Cornwall ( Kernow ˈkɛɹnɔʊ is the most southwesterly county of England, on the Peninsula that lies to the west of the River Tamar History See also History of Gloucestershire Gloucestershire is a historic county mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the 10th century Berkshire (ˈbɑːkʃə or /ˈbɑːkʃɪə/ say Baak-shuh/-sheer sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a Home County in the South Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name Constitution Herefordshire was reconstituted both as a new Non-metropolitan district (effective 19th July 1996 and as a new County comprising the area of the History See also History of Oxfordshire The county of Oxfordshire was formed in the early years of the 10th century and is broadly situated in the Somerset ( or) is a county in south west England The County town is Taunton, which is in the south of the county Geography Warwickshire is bounded to the northwest by the West Midlands Metropolitan county and Staffordshire, by Leicestershire to Etymology The county formerly 'Wiltonshire' or 'Wiltunscir' (9th century is named after the former county town of Wilton (itself named after the River Wylye Worcestershire (ˈwʊstəʃə abbreviated Worcs) is a county located in the West Midlands region of central England. The North Thames Gas Board was a state-owned utility providing gas for light and heat to industries and homes in part of England. The County of London was a ceremonial county and administrative county of England from 1889 to 1965 Berkshire (ˈbɑːkʃə or /ˈbɑːkʃɪə/ say Baak-shuh/-sheer sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a Home County in the South Buckinghamshire (abbreviated Bucks) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of Middlesex is one of the 39 historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. History Cambridgeshire is noted as the site of some of the earliest known Neolithic permanent settlement in the United Kingdom, along with sites at Fengate History The earliest English settlers in the district were the Gyrwas, an East Anglian tribe who early in the 6th century worked their way up the Ouse and the Cam The Isle of Ely is a historic region around the city of Ely now in Cambridgeshire, England but previously a county in its own right Norfolk (ˈnɔrfək is a low-lying county in East Anglia, England, United Kingdom. The Soke of Peterborough is an historic area of England that is traditionally associated with the City and Diocese of Peterborough, but considered Suffolk (ˈsʌfək is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. Buckinghamshire (abbreviated Bucks) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of Middlesex is one of the 39 historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast Wildlife Hampshire has wildlife typical of the island of Great Britain The Isle of Wight is an English Island and county in the English Channel between three and five miles (8 km from the south coast of the Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. Berkshire (ˈbɑːkʃə or /ˈbɑːkʃɪə/ say Baak-shuh/-sheer sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a Home County in the South Buckinghamshire (abbreviated Bucks) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of Northamptonshire (or archaically the County of Northampton; abbreviated Northants History See also History of Oxfordshire The county of Oxfordshire was formed in the early years of the 10th century and is broadly situated in the Somerset ( or) is a county in south west England The County town is Taunton, which is in the south of the county Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. Sussex is a historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. Etymology The county formerly 'Wiltonshire' or 'Wiltunscir' (9th century is named after the former county town of Wilton (itself named after the River Wylye KENT (1400 AM) is a Radio station broadcasting a Adult Standards/MOR format The County of London was a ceremonial county and administrative county of England from 1889 to 1965 Middlesex is one of the 39 historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. Sussex is a historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. By the 1960s the UK was importing 300,000 tons of liquefied natural gas from Africa every year.
Surveys in the North Sea had shown that there were large reserves of natural gas and in 1966 the decision was taken to convert the UK from town gas to natural gas. Natural gas is a Gaseous Fossil fuel consisting primarily of Methane but including significant quantities of Ethane, Propane, The next year the first natural gas from the North Sea had arrived and over the next 10 years British Gas carried out a massive conversion programme converting appliances from town gas to natural gas.
Centralisation
In 1974 British Gas was restructured with The Gas Act 1972 which centralized the company creating the British Gas Corporation and turning the area boards into regions of the new company.
Privatisation
The 1986 Gas Act led to the privatisation of the company, and on 8th December its shares floated on the London stock market. In the hope of encouraging individuals to become shareholders, the offer was intensely advertised with the "If you see Sid, tell him" campaign. The initial public offering of 135p per share valued the company at £9 billion, the highest equity offering ever at the time.
The government created an industry regulator, the Office of Gas Supply (Ofgas), to protect customer needs. It would later become part of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem).
In preparation for the opening of the gas supply markets to competition in 1996, British Gas plc had to go through a major restructuring which separated the company into five divisions.
- Public Gas Supply (Domestic gas supply).
- Contract Trading (Business Supply)
- Transportation and Storage later named Transco (Transporting and storage of gas).
- Service and Installation (Later named Services).
- Retail (Later named Energy Centres).
Demerger
Following the restructuring, with shareholder approval, British Gas plc was demerged to form two separate companies on 17 February 1997.
- Centrica plc
- Took responsibility of the gas supply business and the gas production business of the North and South Morecambe gas fields. Centrica plc ( is a large multinational utility company based in the United Kingdom but also with interests in North America and Europe. Centrica has the rights to the British Gas name inside the UK. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
- BG plc included:
- Took responsibility of Transco the gas transportation business and the international exploration and production business. BG Group Plc ( is an integrated oil and gas company which has its headquarters in Reading, England. BG plc went through a financial restructuring in 1999. This resulted in a new parent company being created, BG Group plc, which subsequently demerged into two new business BG Group plc and Lattice Group plc. Lattice which contained the Transco business then went on to merge with the National Grid Company. National Grid plc ( is an international London -based utilities company which also operates in other countries principally its wholly owned subsidiary in the United States BG Group has the rights to the British Gas name outside the UK.
Shareholders received one BG share and one Centrica share for every British Gas share.
See also
- Energy policy of the United Kingdom
- Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom
- Meter Point Administration Number
Sources
- Chandler, Dean and Lacey, A. For energy use in practice see Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom The current Energy Policy of the United Kingdom is set For Government policy see Energy policy of the United Kingdom Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom has been receiving increased A Meter Point Administration Number also known as MPAN, Supply Number or S-Number is a 21 digit reference used in Great Britain to uniquely Douglas (1949) The Rise of the Gas Industry in Britain. British Gas Council, London.
- Scott-Wilson, D. (1972) North Sea Heritage: The Story of Britain's Natural Gas. The Gas Council, London.
- Cassidy, Richard. (1979) Gas: Natural Energy. Fredrick Muller Ltd London. ISBN-13: 978-0584620566
- Peebles, Malcolm W. H. (1980) Evolution of the Gas Industry. The Macmillan Press, London and Basingstoke. ISBN 0-333-27971-9.
- Williams, Trevor I. (1981) A History of the British Gas Industry, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-858157-2.
- Barry-King, Hugh. (1984) New Flame. How Gas changed the commercial, domestic and industrial life of Britain between 1883 and 1984. Graphmitre Ltd, Tavistock, Devon UK.
- Hutchison, Sir Kenneth, (1987) High Speed Gas: An autobiography. Duckworth, London. ISBN 0-7156-2200-5.
- [1] - BBC article about Gas Prices
- [2] - Guardian article about British Gas
External links
- Britishgas.co.uk - The official UK British Gas site.
- House.co.uk Bills - pay and manage your British Gas bill online.
- House.co.uk DIY - DIY advice and guides from British Gas.
- House.co.uk Central Heating - British Gas central heating systems and advice.
- House.co.uk Security - British Gas home security help and advice.
- British Gas HomeCare - British Gas HomeCare.
- National Grid National Gas Archive - Includes contact details for the archives of British Gas and its predecessors, and a history of gas supply in the UK.
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