“Energy remains one of the least trusted industries” – Which? response to DECC’s survey on trust in energy suppliers

Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said:
“While trust may have marginally improved, energy remains one of the least trusted ​industries. With three-quarters of consumers worried about their energy bills​ and only ​a quarter trusting the industry to act in their best interest​, it’s clear big reforms are needed to restore confidence and guarantee fairer prices for consumers.”

Notes to Editor

1. As part of our Fair Energy Prices campaign, we are calling for:

• The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), as part of its current investigation into the energy market, to investigate the best way for the regulator to establish a ‘price to beat’, so that consumers can trust that the price they pay is fair.
• Require energy suppliers to use simple, directly comparable pricing, similar to petrol pump displays, so people can more easily compare prices and make the best choice if they switch.

​2. 75% of c​onsumers say they are worried about their energy bill, with only 26% trusting the energy industry to act in their best interest.

3. Populus, on behalf of Which?, interviewed a representative sample of 2081 UK adults online between 15th and 16th October 2014.  Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all UK adults. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.