'Shocking' rise in overspend by customers of Big Six energy firms

A survey has revealed customers of the Big Six energy companies in the East Midlands are spending more on their bills than anywhere else in the UK.

According to the study by independent provider First Utility, British households are overspending on their energy by an average of £293. That works out at £59 or 25% more than last year.

It found households in the East Midlands and East of England were overpaying the most, with an average £310 annual savings available to them if they switched.

First Utility said the overspending was due to more than 85% of energy customers remaining with one of the Big Six, and 70% of them staying on the most expensive standard variable tariff.

First Utility said the research would come as "a shock" to Big Six customers, who were likely to assume they were better off following price cuts earlier this year.

Ed Kamm, First Utility's UK managing director, said: