19 December 2006
Consumer watchdog for utilities energywatch has announced that it is to launch a new Confidence Code to help consumers to compare energy prices accurately.
The energywatch Confidence Code will ensure that accredited internet price comparison and switching websites deliver impartial, accurate and reliable information to help consumers feel safe in the knowledge that the information provided in unbiased and in their best interest.
Alan Tattersall, Director of Home Services at uSwitch, commented: "As the UK's leading energy price comparison and switching website and one of the longest standing signatories to the energywatch code, uSwitch has been a primary contributor to bringing pricing transparency to the industry.
"We are delighted to be a part of this new, more robust, Confidence Code and support any initiative that results in increased impartiality, accuracy and greater consumer confidence."
Allan Asher, chief executive of energywatch, acknowledged that more consumers than ever before were using the internet to compare energy prices thanks to the easy access of information and the speed of the switchovers.
"With the average bill running at over a £1,000 a year it is vital that consumers have easy and trusted ways to compare prices and make their energy as affordable as possible," he added.
Tim Whittle, the energywatch Confidence Code manager, said that he hoped the Confidence Code would ensure that consumers can fairly compare prices from all major suppliers and confirmed that "all the accredited sites have co-operated with a rigorous, comprehensive and independent audit process to ensure that consumers can have confidence in the services they provide."
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