Energy bill reform plans criticised
Energy Secretary Ed Davey set out a series of measures intended to take the heat out of the rising furore around energy bills today.
The new measures are aimed at "putting consumers in control" of the energy market by making it easier to switch suppliers, but critics say the plans resemble "rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic." The measures include:
Energy firms must make switching faster - with the ambition of reducing it to 24 hours instead of the current five weeks.
Firms must provide Quick Response (QR) codes on energy bills so that smartphone users can switch to the best deals on their mobile device
Firms may have to provide information on cheaper tariffs to switching websites
They should make every effort to return money to customers with closed accounts
Read: How to switch your energy company or tariff
Consumer group Which? said the measures fell below what was needed to keep prices in check. Executive Director Richard Lloyd said:
Read: 'No great applause' from consumers on energy reform bills
ITV News' Consumer Editor spoke to numerous people suffering from fuel poverty - defined as spending 10% of income on energy costs.
Pensioners and low income families are the most vulnerable to fuel poverty, and there are concerns that the the reforms announced today do not go far enough to help them.
More: 'Woeful' levels of insulation blamed for UK fuel poverty
Labour's shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint said the changes "will do nothing to help people with their bills this winter" and called for a price freeze to stop energy companies overcharging.