Consumer groups believe that recent price rises announced by SSE meaning that energy bills will rise by 8.2% pave the way for other energy suppliers to do the same. The Island’s MP Andrew Turner agrees with their analysis and he has called the move very disappointing and frustrating..
Mr Turner said:
”We are working towards a position where consumers pay the best possible prices for the energy they consume, and measures in the Energy Bill, due to pass into law soon, will be make sure this happens. The reforms will force energy suppliers to put customers on the lowest available tariffs unless they choose otherwise. This will be of benefit to many Island people, particularly those on low incomes. Ofgem the regulator is also introducing radical reforms so that that the market works better for customers.
“It is therefore very disappointing and frustrating that some suppliers are now increasing prices so much. People should look at switching supplier and fixing their tariff to protect them from further price hikes. ‘Which Switch’, is the only not-for-profit accredited energy switching service in the UK – and by answering a few easy questions you may be able to save hundreds of pounds a year.
“There is also help available for the poorest Islanders. The Government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme will provide over 2m households, including 600,000 vulnerable pensioners, with a £135 discount on their electricity and spending is being maintained on Winter Fuel Payments. Following my lobbying of Ministers in 2012 cold weather payments will be available uniformly across the Island when the temperature drops, instead of only certain postcodes, and they have been permanently increased from £8.50 to £25 a week, helping the most vulnerable when extremely cold weather strikes. The Prime Minister has given his personal commitment to do what he can to help get energy bills down and we must keep looking at ways to do that”.
For more information on switching energy suppliers, go to: www.which.co.uk/switch
