Savvy SW householders switch suppliers

Around £10.2 million was saved by 145,000 households in the South West in the last six months, simply by changing electricity supplier.

The figures, released as part of the ‘Power to Switch’ campaign, show that within the South West:

The ‘Power to Switch’ campaign encourages people to switch supplier and save money by visiting www.BeAnEnergyShopper.com. Millions of people can save around £200 - and some can save even more.

Nationally, during a four week period for the campaign, both gas and electricity switches through price comparison sites resulted in 130,000 households saving £38 million - an increase of 193% on the previous year.

Wrapping up the campaign, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Davey, said: “Switching puts money back in people’s pockets – and, thanks to our reforms, thousands are taking advantage of cheaper deals and a more competitive market.

“We want even more people to join the thousands who are switching and saving today.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister, Amber Rudd, said: “With 27 energy companies on the market and some fixed deals £100 cheaper than they were a year ago, there’s never been a better time to find a great deal, switch and save.”

The Government’s programme of energy market reform includes:

* Halving switching times - it now takes only 17 days to switch energy supplier down from 5 weeks last year

* Encouraging new suppliers on to the market – there are now 21 independent suppliers

* Legislating to back Ofgem reforms that force energy companies to make energy bills clearer – and providing information for customers about how to switch

For more information about how to switch energy supplier visit www.BeAnEnergyShopper.com or call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.