Energy

Not knowing whether the cheapest energy firms are "any good" is the most common reason householders are reluctant to switch energy supplier , according to a poll of 3,500 MoneySavers.

A MoneySaver who switched away from British Gas to a rival energy provider has been charged £40 in exit fees – even though he completed his switch within the last 49 days of his energy fix, when exit fees should be waived.

More than a third of UK customers have been overpaying for their gas and electricity on a standard variable tariff (SVT) for at least three years, it has emerged.

Northern Ireland's largest energy supplier Power NI is to hike electricity prices by 5.6%, meaning the typical bill for those on its standard tariff will jump by £27/year.

About three million households on prepayment meters are set to see their energy bills drop after regulator Ofgem said it would tighten a price cap imposed earlier this year.

Flow Energy has confirmed it's set to increase the cost of its standard tariff by 10 % from 1 September, adding an extra £95/year to a typical household's dual-fuel bill.

British Gas has finally revealed its worst kept secret by announcing a 12.5% rise in electricity prices, with bills for a typical dual-fuel household on its standard tariff set to jump by £76 to £1,120 per year.

Co-op Energy is offering all existing customers including those with the GB Energy brand a "loyalty reward" of up to £150 until 31 July to stay with the firm and switch to its two or three-year fixed deals – but many are likely to save more switching to another supplier.

Thousands of British Gas customers have been paid a total of £1.1 million compensation for missed appointments.

Ebico customers who were moved to SSE for their gas and electricity need to check their bills now to avoid being stung by higher prices.