Energy firms lend helping hand with clearer bills
30th June 2010
Homeowners have been given a helping hand by their energy suppliers to help them find the best deal for their gas and electricity.
With immediate effect, energy suppliers will be required to provide clear information on gas and electricity bills regarding annual usage, predicted bills, discounts and tips on how and when to switch energy suppliers.
The new measures have been brought in by the gas and electricity industry regulator Ofgem which said power must be put back into the hands of consumers who are ultimately responsible for stoking competition - and lowering prices - in the market.
"We want customers to have a much better picture of their energy consumption and how much they are spending," Ofgem spokeswoman Sarah Harrison said.
"Clearer bills and annual statements will put all this information at their fingertips so they can compare energy deals more easily when they are thinking of switching."
Ofgem says that by taking advantage of better deals and switching suppliers regularly, consumers can encourage competition between gas and electricity companies which are already clamouring to offer homeowners the best deal on their supplies.
Ofgem also hailed the success of efforts to reduce the "unjustified" premiums that millions of rural homeowners have been paying for electricity because they cannot take advantage of dual fuel tariffs.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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