Which? response to CMA’s latest SSE/Npower merger announcement

Alex Neill, Which? Managing Director of Home Products and Services, said:

“Mergers of big players in essential markets such as energy can mean consumers get a raw deal, so the competition authorities are right to warn that this merger of two big energy suppliers could reduce competition and lead to higher bills.

“Given that both of these energy suppliers also struggle on customer service, coming in the bottom half of our satisfaction survey, it’s vital that there is thorough scrutiny of the impact on consumers before allowing any venture to go ahead.”

Notes to editors:

• 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.
• A £398 saving is based on a medium user (using Ofgem averages of 3,100 kWh electricity and 12,000 kWh gas per year, paying by monthly direct debit, with paperless bills), data is from Energylinx. Prices given are averages across regions, are rounded to the nearest whole pound and correct on 3 April 2018.

Statement