The change will be introduced in April and the company credited falling wholesale gas costs for the boost to small businesses and householders.

Bills have been falling after Phoenix increased its charges by 39% last May.

The average Phoenix Supply domestic gas bill will fall by £51 a year to give an average annual domestic gas bill of £550, or £10.58 per week, the business said.

David Strahan, managing director of Phoenix Supply, said: "We are delighted to be able to make this announcement today which again demonstrates our commitment to delivering natural gas at the lowest sustainable price to our customers.

"This price reduction once again establishes our prices as being lower than the average standard tariffs applicable in both Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland."