Which? responds as energy switching automatic compensation comes into force
Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said:
“Switching is the ultimate way for consumers to avoid rip-off energy tariffs, yet the regulator has estimated energy customers would have been owed more than £70million in just one year for switches gone wrong had automatic compensation been in place, and with switching on the rise this figure could be even higher.
“The regulator now needs to enforce its automatic compensation standards so that energy companies get it right first time and consumers are not put off switching – given they could potentially save more than £300 a year.”
Notes to editors:
- Ofgem’s Impact Assessment for Supplier Guaranteed Standards of Performance for Switching estimated 1,867,824 incidence of switching problems leading to £73.1million of potential repayment to customers based on 2017 data – see 1.17: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2018/11/impact_assessment.pdf
- Customers looking for cheaper energy deals can compare deals with Which? Switch, a transparent and impartial way to compare energy tariffs and find the best gas and electricity supplier.
- Which? calculates that a medium user (using 3,100kWh gas and 12,000kWh electricity per year) on a dual-fuel default or tariff standard tariff at the level of the price cap could save up to £358 a year by switching to the cheapest deal on the market. Based on tariffs available in all regions in England, Scotland and Wales, paying by monthly direct debit, with paperless bills. Data is from Energylinx and correct on 10 April 2019.
- The results of Which?’s latest energy satisfaction survey can be found here: www.which.co.uk/energy-table
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