Energy News

Citizens Advice urges Brits to switch energy supplier

Thursday 7 April, 2011

By Martin Fagan - news@consumerchoices.co.uk

Ofgem and Citizens Advice are launching an online campaign to encourage Brits to switch energy supplier and save money.

A concerted campaign to encourage consumers to save money by switching energy suppliers has been launched by energy regulator Ofgem and Citizens Advice Bureau.

The online campaign – Energy Best Deal - aims to provide advice for consumers' energy rights and on keeping energy bills as low as possible. It’s a follow-up to a face-to-face advice scheme Citizens Advice launched in 2008 which has already advised 60,000 consumers on energy switching.

”Our latest research shows consumers who are not active in the market are paying an average £170 a year more than they have to,” said Sarah Harrison, Ofgem's Senior Partner for Sustainable Development.

“Energy Best Deal is here to help the four out of five consumers who say they not taking part in the energy market to shop around to get a better deal."

Research by regulator Ofgem shows only 1 in 5 consumers say they are active in the energy market and Brits who have not switched pay £170 more on average for their energy.

Last month, Ofgem's Retail Market Review showed that energy companies make higher profits from consumers who do not switch.

The thrust of the campaign is seven short online videos, including how to shop around for the best deal, being energy efficient, avoiding debt and disconnection and case studies from successful switchers. Watch the online videos here

Ofgem and Citizens Advice’s campaign advises Brits keen to switch suppliers should to use an independent online comparison and switching website.