Consumers urged to switch firms

13/06/2011

Matt Gibson

Cash-strapped consumers should fight back against the rising cost of power by switching to a different provider, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has said.

Mr Huhne said that energy companies would be more likely to keep their prices down if customers started voting with their feet and switched to cheaper providers.

The advice came after Scottish Power said it was hiking gas prices by 19% and electric by 10%. Many customers fear that such an increase may lead to a "domino effect", where other companies raise their prices too.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has called on the Government to do more to make sure power firms are more competitive with their prices.

Speaking to the Observer newspaper, Mr Huhne said: "Consumers don't have to take price increases lying down. If an energy company hits you with a price increase, you can hit them back where it hurts - by shopping around and voting with your feet."

Mr Huhne is expected to announce new measures to make it easier for smaller companies to compete in the energy market.

He said: "Right now, only one in five people switch suppliers. I want to see more switching, more competition and more companies in the market."