Energy customers suffering in postcode lottery - uSwitch
Britons are falling foul of a postcode lottery when it comes to their energy bills, with some people paying £180 more than others as a result, uSwitch has revealed.
According to a survey by the comparison website, energy suppliers are varying their prices according to where customers live by an average of £76.
In one case, E.ON is charging householders in one area up to £180 more than those living elsewhere, even though they are on the same plan, paying by the same method and using the same amount of energy.
The provider's regional pricing policy sees a Save Online 10 customer living in Brighton paying just £984 a year on average, compared with £1,164 a year for someone in London.
People in Cardiff pay the most in the country - an average of £1,108 a year - while households in Liverpool are paying £1,100.
In contrast, the cheapest energy spots are Brighton in the Seeboard region at £1,060 a year, Leeds in the Yorkshire region with £1,067 and Edinburgh in ScottishPower region at £1,069.
Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, urged people to use this information as the spur to compare prices and make sure they are with the cheapest provider in their region.
"Even though all suppliers offer their cheapest prices online, these can vary by as much as £180 in one area," she continued. "And consumers cannot assume that their local supplier will automatically be cheaper - not one supplier currently offers their most competitive price in their incumbent or 'local' region. This is why it's so important for households to shop around to make sure they are getting a fair deal."
Use the Myfinances.co.uk comparison tables to find the best deal on gas and electricity
- Tags:
- energy bills ,
- news ,
- uswitch
Comments
Newsletter sign up