Finance site calls for simpler energy bills

22/01/2009

Around one in three UK householders are risking being overcharged for their gas and electricity - by never checking their energy bills.

According to uSwitch, which has conducted new research on the issue, Britain's energy firms are not helping matters with their over-complicated presentation of customer charges.

When the price comparison website asked people why they did not check their bills for inaccuracies, one in five claimed that they "do not understand" them, while 28 per cent said that they simply "cannot be bothered".

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch, said: "Energy bills are a key link in the communication chain between suppliers and their customers. Unfortunately, for many consumers, this link is broken.

"As a result, they are not getting the information they urgently need to start bringing the cost of their energy down."

One way of making energy costs easier to understand is through annual energy statements from suppliers, uSwitch said.

Ofgem, the industry regulator, is currently working with the firms in order to provide these documents to customers.

"This [Ofgem action] will take time to bear fruit and so will not help consumers reduce this winter's heavy fuel bills," Ms Robinson added.

"Consumers should help themselves by making sure that they check their bills regularly and provide their supplier with up-to-date meter readings."

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Retirement Money Problems,

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