Energy Retail Association response to Moneysupermarket.com's release on informing customers of new tariffs

12 December 2007

“Energy suppliers spend millions of pounds each year advertising new products to customers in order to compete effectively with other players in the market, so the best new tariffs are always in the public eye.  There is a role to be played by the many switching sites such as Moneysupermarket.com to promote these new offerings as they are a key channel for customers looking for information on what deals are available.

“The energy suppliers offer a wide range of options so that customers can choose which is best for them  in a fiercely competitive market*.  Mobile phone companies and insurance companies, for example, also continually update their offers but they also rely on their customers to take advantage of these.  As with banks, energy suppliers are required to notify customers of any changes in price, which can often act as a trigger for people to look around for a new deal.

“We would recommend customers to keep an eye out for the best deals to suit them, as it is easier than ever to switch supplier or tariff either over the phone or online.”

Duncan Sedgwick, chief executive, Energy Retail Association.

*With 150,000 households on average switching energy supplier each week, and 4m customers in the UK switching supplier in 2006, we continue to have the world’s most competitive energy market. (Ofgem)