Smart meter benefits cut. The government has revised down its estimates of energy price reductions from installing smart meters. Originally (2014) the expected saving for combined gas and electricity was £26. Now it’s £11. The news comes in a detailed cost-benefit analysis issued 10/11/16 and explained for us by the Sunday Times (£/register). This is embarrassing. The government, regulators and suppliers are under pressure to correct overcharging […]
Reforms not enough. Energy suppliers are working on reforms required by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Ofgem to protect customers from overcharging. They need to. The CMA reports the annual rip-off is £1.4 billion. But already the reforms look too timid and too late. The Sun (1) claims to have seen a secret industry […]
Why not. You don’t have to try very hard to find advice on how to get a better energy deal. Citizens Advice online is thorough, up-to-date and impartial. Broadcast, print and social media offer advice everyday. But most of us don’t switch, as the prime minister pointed out in a speech last week. Why not? Here’s one suggestion. On 9 […]
The Sun comes out. The UK’s biggest selling daily newspaper has launched a campaign for fairer energy prices. It says seven out of ten customers are on standard variable tariffs – the most expensive kind. This means families are paying £6 billion more than they would on the cheapest tariffs. The Sun wants suppliers to […]