27 November 2006
Despite an unprecedented 13 price rises in the past year, 48% of consumers are not satisfied with their energy provider and 60% believe that they are not getting value for money, according to a new survey from the price comparison and switching website, uSwitch.
As customer satisfaction drops, the bills have soared with the average energy bill rising from £735 at the start of the year to £1,013 today, allowing energy suppliers to enjoy £6 billion in profits.
Worryingly, the survey also revealed that 6.4 million are struggling with rising energy costs, an increase of 765,000 since March, while the number of households enduring fuel poverty stands at 5.8 million.
It wasn't all bad news however, Scottish and Southern Electricity continued to be the cheapest provider and had the best customer service, although even its record had dropped 9%.
Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said that the fall in customer service was unacceptable considering the amount of money energy providers were making in profits.
She urged consumers to ditch their "misplaced loyalty" and to consider switching to a better energy supplier.
"Until consumers say enough is enough, there is no pressure on energy providers to right the myriad of wrongs they are currently peddling under the guise of customer service and value for money," Ms Robinson stressed.