Switch to a better energy deal, Consumer Focus says

17/06/2009

Britain's energy customers were urged today to make the switch to online tariffs.

Consumer Focus, a campaigning group, said that the high difference in prices between the cheapest and most expensive deals on the market made seeking out the best-value prices a must.

Figures cited by Consumer Focus suggested that people who pay for their gas and electricity via prepayment meters spend around £200 a year more than those on the cheapest online direct debit deals.

The average amount paid per household for energy stands at around £1,200.

Zoe McLeod, principal policy advocate at Consumer Focus, said: "Generally speaking switching from a prepayment meter to a monthly direct debit payment will be cheaper and if you can switch to online direct debits it's better still. However, it does depend on which supplier you are with as some have already equalised their tariffs so the best thing to do is to go to a switching site."

EuroDebt director Kevin Still added: "We have identified that energy switching can release a meaningful amount of disposable income per month, for many of our clients who haven't previously switched over £30 per month.

"For those with unsecured debts this can make a meaningful contribution to creditors and accelerate the rate at which debts are cleared. As a leading Debt Management Company, EuroDebt has identified that energy and banking costs are major expenditure items that can be targeted, that is why we have introduced our free comparator service."

Around six million UK energy customers are thought to be on prepayment meters.

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Credit Card Lifestyle, Retirement Money Problems,

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