Price rises see number switching energy suppliers plunge

FAMILIES have given up switching energy suppliers after price hikes by all six major companies.

The number of households that changed gas or electricity firms fell by more than half in the past four years.

Families can save an average of £123 a year by switching to a more suitable tariff. But many have given up trying because they believe all energy companies rip off customers.

Fuel blast ... Caroline Flint

Others have been put off by reports of consumers being pressured into signing deals that later prove more expensive.

The figures are a blow to David Cameron’s campaign to persuade people to switch suppliers to cut family fuel bills.

Only 746,000 customers changed electricity supplier in the first three months of 2012 — compared to 1.5 million in a similar period in 2008.

Those changing gas firms fell from 1.14 million to 533,000.

Six in ten households have never switched supplier and are paying £150 to £300 more a year than they need to. Shadow Energy Secretary Caroline Flint said: “This shows people have lost faith in the energy market.

“Many feel it doesn’t matter who supplies their energy because all the big companies have increased bills by so much.

“David Cameron’s so-called ‘Check, switch and insulate to save’ campaign has been a flop.

“Instead of lecturing the public, ministers should get behind Labour’s plan to overhaul the market and deliver fair prices.”

d.wooding@the-sun.co.uk