British gas 'suspends doorstep sales'

12/08/11

Stephanie Gonzalez?

British Gas is suspending its doorstep sales operation after pressure from consumer groups over the practice.

The company said that 300-plus staff who are employed to go door-to-door to persuade people to switch to a new energy deal will be moved to other areas for three months.

It will review its sales policy during the three-month period and added that it hopes the decision will help restore the public's trust in the sector.

The move follows Scottish & Southern Energy's (SSE) decision in July to temporarily halt doorstep selling after it was found guilty of mis-selling following action by Surrey County Council.

Consumer Focus has been pressing for energy companies to suspend cold calling at homes for 90 days in order to review the practice, which it says pressures many customers into taking worse deals.

EDF and Scottish Power have refused, while E.ON and npower have yet to make a decision, it said.

Energy watchdog Ofgem is also examining whether Scottish Power, SSE, EDF and npower have broken rules with their doorstep sales operations.