Ombudsman Services

If you're switching between many of the big energy providers you'll now benefit from 10 'commitments' guaranteeing a smooth and hassle-free transition – but if suppliers fail to deliver, you may still need to get the Ombudsman involved.

Customer complaints about energy firms increased by a quarter last year, according to the Energy Ombudsman. But whether you've had cause to complain about your provider or not, you can save £100s by switching now.

Passengers flying with Ryanair will soon be able to get a legally-binding decision on gripes such as flight delay and cancellation claims, as the budget airline has become the first to sign up to the Ombudsman Services' airline complaints arbitration scheme.

Co-operative Energy has blamed ongoing problems with its new IT system as the reason why it was the most complained about energy provider in the third quarter of the year.

Ombudsman Services has this week been approved to take on complaints about airlines and to deliver legally binding decisions on gripes, but a scheme might not be ready for passengers to use until next spring.

If you come to the end of your tether over a complaint about goods or services, from today you may be able to take it to the new Consumer Ombudsman.

Approximately 1,000 former and existing Npower customers will have debts written off and be given free energy, after the big six energy provider has been found guilty of failing to implement Ombudsman rulings on complaints within the required 28 days.