David Cameron urges energy companies to cut bills
David Cameron has urged energy suppliers to simplify their tariffs to help Britons keep their bills down amid soaring gas and electricity costs.
Writing on the moneysavingexpert.com website ahead of an energy summit at Westminster today (October 17th), the prime minister said recent price rises "couldn't come at a worse time for consumers".
Britain's largest energy firms have been called to the summit, which will be chaired by energy secretary Chris Huhne, along with consumer groups and the energy regulator Ofgem, in a bid to bring bills down in time for winter.
Mr Cameron said the government could not control world energy prices, but it could take steps to ensure people pay the lowest possible tariffs and companies minimise the amount of energy that is wasted.
"So first of all we want to clear up the bewildering array of tariffs and special offers provided by energy companies so people know how to get the best deal," he remarked. "Right now, it's all far too complicated and it's incredibly frustrating."
Individuals can save £200 a year on fuel bills by switching supplier, Mr Cameron added, but Ofgem statistics show only a sixth of households moved to a different provider last year.
He continued: "At today's summit, we want to explore what action can be taken immediately to encourage greater switching."
Last week, Ofgem called for "radical reform" of the way the 'big six' energy firms - British Gas, Scottish Power, Scottish & Southern Energy, EDF, E.ON and npower - interact with customers.
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