Cheaper gas in time for winter

GAS prices in France are to fall by 1.3% on October 1 - meaning cheaper energy bills for seven million homes that benefit from government-regulated tariffs.

The reduced rate applies to customers of Engie, the new name for GDF-Suez, who are on the provider's tarif réglementé.

It follows another 1.3% decline in July and a slight rise (0.5%) on September 1.

Prices for gas are adjusted by France's energy regulation committee on a monthly basis, based on the real cost of production, distribution and storage. Until recently, the rates were only revised quarterly.