Uninformed Energy Price Rises To Be Banned - 22/09

The governement are finally looking to put a stop to price rises made-by energy firms without pre-warning customers.

Currently energy companies have been raising prices of electricity and gas, yet in some cases do not let affected customers know until upto 65 days after raising their energy price. After much lobbying it looks that this will now come to a stop. Energy consultant Chris Huhne pledged today to put a stop to this practise.

 Speaking ahead of his speech to the Liberal Democrat conference, Huhne said: "I want to make sure the energy companies never again raise prices without telling consumers.

"Sometimes they've raised prices and they've gone 65 days in a winter without actually telling householders that they're putting up their gas and electricity bills.

"It is outrageous that energy companies have been able to hike up prices without even bothering to tell their customers. I can't think of another example where you start paying more for something without being told about it.

"The best result for consumers will be if energy companies don't block the changes that Ofgem will propose. But if they do, I won't hesitate to use my powers to end for good the practice of surprise energy bill hikes if that's what consultation shows to be necessary."

Ofgem the industry regulator is now planning to consult over moves to go forward with changing rules that allow energy companies to raise prices before informing customers. If the energy companies move to block the attempt to change the rules then as advised by Mr Huhne the government will step in.

Chris Huhne also suggested that customers were not getting enough information on the cheapest deals available to them and that bills should contain offers from other energy firms. However this seems highly unlikely that energy companies would print cheaper deals offered by rivals on their bills.

Customers looking to enter into an agreement for their residential or business electricity and gas should be checking unbiased comparison websites and doing some research as securing cheap residential and cheap business electricity prices could save them £100's of pounds a year.