Skip to content

  • Home
  • Developer
  • Business
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Contact
  • Toggle search form

Energy customers still ‘baffled and bewildered’ despite bills shake-up

Posted on July 24, 2022August 15, 2022 By Myron Batey No Comments on Energy customers still ‘baffled and bewildered’ despite bills shake-up

Six out of 10 consumers still do not understand their energy bill a full two years after the introduction of reforms designed to make the information simpler and clearer.

Almost half of bill-payers (48%) say they have seen no difference to their statements and more than half (51%) are unable to recall seeing any information about cheaper tariffs – a requirement of regulator Ofgem’s April 2014 reforms, the poll for comparison site uSwitch.com found.

Of those who knew that the cheapest tariff is displayed on bills, fewer than half (47%) had switched.

Younger consumers have the lowest level of bill comprehension, with 68% of those aged 18 to 35 admitting they do not fully understand their statement, compared with 62% of those aged 35 to 54 and 53% of those aged 55 and over.

Under Ofgem’s reforms, suppliers were also instructed to simplify confusing and complex tariffs, which were limited to four core tariffs per customer for both gas and electricity.

In its long-awaited report last month, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) claimed British households were overpaying by £1.7 billion on average a year for their energy and said the Big Six providers have been taking existing customers for granted.

The CMA said it planned to launch an Ofgem-controlled database allowing rival suppliers to offer new tariffs to those stuck on standard variable tariffs (SVTs) for three years or more.

The CMA said too many households – 70% of Big Six customers – were still on more expensive SVTs and could save more than £300 on average a year by switching.

Ann Robinson, uSwitch director of consumer policy, said: “The confusion around bills is a problem that must be tackled if consumers are to get in control of their energy use and spending.

“If they can’t make sense of their bill, customers could be missing out on better deals or risk bill shock by accumulating significant debt.

“Given that Ofgem’s reforms – which were designed to give clearer information to customers – came in two years ago, it’s worrying that so many remain baffled and bewildered by their bills.

“We’re urging Ofgem and suppliers to press ahead with plans to make bills easier to understand, making it simpler for consumers to use less, waste less and pay less for energy.”

An Ofgem spokesman said: “Ofgem is committed to ensuring that consumers have the clearest information they need in their bills so they can make informed choices about their energy supply.

“We are currently reviewing these rules and are planning to trial new formats for bills with suppliers to make them easier to understand for consumers.”

:: Opinium surveyed 2,000 UK energy bill-payers online between February 15-19.

A Department of Energy and Climate Change spokeswoman said: “Everyone should be getting a fair deal from energy companies, which includes keeping bills as simple as possible.

“Last month’s recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority included giving people clearer information to help them better understand the options open to them. All of this goes hand in glove with everything Government is doing to deliver a fair, competitive energy market for families and businesses paying the bills.”

If you are looking forward to translate this content, contact Translation Agencies UK

 

Business Tags:Translation Agencies UK

Post navigation

Previous Post: Remainder of the sanghoki remainders
Next Post: Safe playground Check: What to Look for in Betting Sites

More Related Articles

Resisting the Desire to Acquire Business
Nurturing Connection: Intimacy-Building Exercises for a Thriving Romantic Relationship Nurturing Connection: Intimacy-Building Exercises for a Thriving Romantic Relationship Business
agen judi bola Soccer Betting Insights: Expert Advice from Agen Judi Bola Business
Are the top tech brands too important to A-List bloggers? Business
agen judi bola Soccer Betting Insights: Expert Advice from Agen Judi Bola Business
How Much Do School Security Guards Make ? Business

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Jablay123 Poker: Your Ace in the Hole
  • Soccer Betting Insights: Expert Advice from Agen Judi Bola
  • Soccer Betting Insights: Expert Advice from Agen Judi Bola
  • High Stakes and High Rewards: Navigating the World of Gambling
  • Elevate Your Reach: Professional Translation Services in the UK

Categories

  • Business
  • Developer
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Game
  • Health

Pages

  • Contact
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy

Archives

  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
July 2022
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Jun   Aug »

Copyright © 2023 .

Powered by PressBook Green WordPress theme