Press releases

Gas & Electricity 

E.ON CUTS GAS PRICES

E.ON has announced that it is cutting its gas prices tomorrow by 3.3% or £25 on average. It means that the average E.ON dual fuel bill will drop by £27 from £1,259 to £1,232.

Credit Cards 

CREDIT CARD PROVIDERS THROW £8.8 BILLION[1] OF UNREQUESTED CREDIT AT CONSUMERS

As the Governments spotlight shines on the UK’s credit card market in today’s white paper, new research from uSwitch.com reveals that 5.7 million[1] consumers have seen their credit limit increased by an average of £1,538 in the past 12 months without their consent. In total, these consumers have received an additional £8.8 billion[1] of credit. If these consumers max out their new credit limit, they could now face an annual interest bill of £1040[7] each or £5.9 billion[7] in total. 3% of people received an even bigger shock when their credit limit was slashed without their permission.

Credit Cards 

Ban on credit card cheques

“Sending out unsolicited credit card cheques has long since been an act of complete irresponsibility on the part of providers, and finally we have less talk and more action in bringing about an end to this practice. For many consumers, using these cheques has been the first step on the road to a downward debt spiral. Last year alone, more than 14.1 million[1] UK consumers were sent more than 280 million[2] credit card cheques - 97%[1] of which were unsolicited. 3.2 million[3] of these cheques were used by consumers spending a staggering £3.6 billion[3]. In total, providers a pocketed a staggering £571 million[2] in handling fees and interest.

Gas & Electricity 

USWITCH.COM COMMENTS ON OFGEM’S RESEARCH LOOKING INTO ENERGY COMPLAINTS

Commenting on Ofgem’s research looking into energy complaints, Ann Robinson, Consumer Policy Director at uSwitch.com, says: “It’s important that companies listen to these results and acknowledge them as it gives them an opportunity to understand what their customers are really thinking.

Gas & Electricity 

BAFFLING UTILITY BILLS LEAVE CONSUMERS CONFUSED, BEMUSED AND DEFINTELY NOT AMUSED

Nobody likes household bills, but new research shows consumers have good reason to dread utility bills more than others.

Credit Cards 

RATE TARTS ARE IN A JAM AS 2 MILLION[1] BALANCE TRANSFER APPLICATIONS ARE REJECTED

The latest credit card market analysis from uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, reveals that almost 2 million[1] consumers have been rejected for balance transfer deals in the last year. This represents 57% of all credit card rejections, forcing these consumers to fork out £535 million[4] in interest payments in the next 12 months as they are unable to switch to a new provider. In total, £3.5[2] billion of credit card debt is now stuck on interest bearing credit cards as consumers cannot switch to their next 0% deal.

Gas & Electricity 

HOUSEHOLD ENERGY BILLS TO HIT ALMOST £5K IN 10 YEARS TIME

Household energy bills could reach as high as £4,733 a year by 2020, nearly four times higher than they are today, according to new research from uSwitch.com. The average household energy bill today is £1,243 a year. However, ongoing pricing trends coupled with investment in infrastructure, the cost of cutting carbon and boosting energy efficiency, could see this spiral. The additional cost of investment alone is expected to add £548 a year onto consumers’ energy bills:

2.7 MILLION[1] UK WORKERS MAKE HALF A BILLION EACH YEAR BY TWEAKING EXPENSES

As the UK’s government comes under increased scrutiny in the ongoing expenses scandal, it seems this type of activity is also an issue outside of the Commons. New research from uSwitch.com reveals that UK employees make an additional £503 million[2] every year on expenses just by ‘exaggerating’ claims or being economical with the truth.

Car Insurance 

DON’T RELY ON CAR INSURANCE TO PROTECT VALUABLES AT GLASTONBURY

As 177,500[1] music revellers head for the Glastonbury festival on Friday 26th June, new research from uSwitch.com reveals that 62%[3] of car insurance providers will offer as little as £100 cover for all valuables left in the car. With 128,000[2] (72%) people travelling to the festival by car, this research shows that almost £8 million[4] worth of items will be stored in these vehicles as a safer alternative to the tent.

Car Insurance 

SCRAPPERS SCUPPERED BY MID-TERM ADJUSTMENT FEES

New figures due to be released by the SMMT tomorrow are expected to reveal the extent to which the government’s car scrappage scheme has provided a much-needed boost to the ailing car industry since its introduction last month. However, with all eyes firmly focussed on signs of potential recovery in the car industry, stealthy car insurance providers are cashing-in by penalising motorists with disproportionate mid-term adjustment fees, levied for any changes to a policy as a result of a motorist swapping their vehicle.