Energy Bills Creeping Up to Pre-Privatisation Levels Warns www.uswitch.com

Energy bills creeping up to pre-privatisation levels warns www.uswitch.com - Trade and Industry Select Committee investigation too late for 25 million households.

(PRWEB) January 28, 2005 -- Tim Wolfenden, Product Manager at independent comparison and switching service www.uSwitch.com, comments on the Trade and Industry Select Committees investigation into rising energy prices, It's ridiculous that the investigation into the record price rises seen last year has been allowed to drag on for so long; this has served to highlight the inadequacies in the energy industrys current regulatory structure.

We can all speculate as to the reasons why prices have soared, however until this investigation has reached its conclusion and the necessary actions have been taken, consumers will continue to suffer."

www.uSwitch.com analysis reveals that if prices were to continue to rise at the rate witnessed in 2004, domestic bills would revert to levels not seen since privatisation of the energy industry; this could happen by as early as next year*.

Wolfenden concludes, Over 25 million households have been subjected to price rises over the last 12 months, with the average customer now paying 100 more for their energy compared to the beginning of 2004. Whilst households can mitigate rising prices by switching energy supplier or introducing energy efficiency measures into their home, the onus remains firmly on the individual to take action – customers who remain with their incumbent suppliers (British Gas and their local electricity board) are paying over 20 per cent more for their energy than they should."

For more information visit www.uSwitch.com or call 0800 093 06 07

For more information please contact:
Jennifer Evans, www.uSwitch.com on 0207 802 2923 / 07793 400 391 or jenniferevans@uswitch.com
Alison Merrigan, Lansons Communications on 0207 294 3634 or alisonm@lansons.com

*Domestic gas bill sizes would revert to pre-privatisation prices in 2006, electricity bill sizes would revert to pre-privatisation prices in 2007. Analysis is based on an annual 20 per cent rise in gas and 14 per cent rise in electricity for the average standard credit dual fuel customer.

NOTES TO EDITORS
www.uSwitch.com is a free, impartial online and phone based comparison and switching service that helps consumers compare prices on gas, electricity, home telephone, DTV, broadband providers and personal finance products. Our aim is to help customers take advantage of the best tariffs and services on offer from every supplier. The company has developed a series of calculators that evaluate a number of key factors including price, location, service and payment method, and advises consumers on the best deal to suit their needs. Customers can run a comparison and switch online or freephone customer services direct on 0800 093 0607.

The service is also available via fax and post. Fax 0207 233 5933 or write to Customer Services, www.uSwitch.com, 10th Floor, Portland House, Stag Place, London, SW1E 5BH, with their postcode and usage details.

www.uSwitch.com is not a supplier but acts as an independent advisor, giving consumers an impartial view of whats on offer.

# # #

energy bills energy prices gas electricity bills trade and industry select committee

Bookmark -  Del.icio.us | Digg | Furl It | Spurl | RawSugar | Simpy | Shadows | Blink It | My Web