Number of gas and electricity customers switching suppliers surges to a six-year high
Brits switching energy providers rose by 30 per cent with 7.7million switches were made in search of a better deal
THE number of gas and electricity customers switching suppliers has surged to a six-year high.
Households swapped their energy providers 7.7million times last year as they looked around for better deals.
That was a rise of 1.7million, almost 30 per cent, on 2015, according to the energy regulator Ofgem.
It comes as consumers face a spate of price rises, hitting many already struggling.
The Sun has pushed for customers to switch to cheaper energy deals as part of its People Power campaign.
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Ofgem has advised consumers they can make big savings by shopping around.
Of those who switched last year, 47 per cent went to small or medium suppliers.
Ofgem chief executive Dermot Nolan said: “This welcome increase in switching should serve as a warning to supply companies.
"If they fail to keep prices under control or do not provide a good service, they risk being punished as customers vote with their feet.”
Lawrence Slade, chief executive of the industry’s trade association Energy UK, welcomed the high level of switching.
He said: “With ever increasing numbers switching, it’s clear competition is working for more and more households.”