Poor 'failed' on cheap energy deals

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Getting both gas and electricity from the same supplier can save the average household £207 per year, according to uSwitch.com.

The price comparison website says more than 1.1 million low income households are on separate tariffs, boosting energy firms' profits by £232 million per year.

It claims a recent raft of energy price cuts will only "chip away" at fuel bills.

Around 360,000 low income households have been with the same gas and electricity suppliers for at least two decades, uSwitch said.

And the average low income household hasn't reviewed its energy supplier for more than 11 years.

USwitch.com director of consumer policy Ann Robinson said energy firms should do more to educate hard-up customers about the best tariffs.

"We are calling on suppliers to help consumers by arming them with all the facts about their current range of tariffs so that consumers can choose which one is right for them," she said.

"Moreover, we would like suppliers to firmly commit to making sure that their most vulnerable customers are on the cheapest available deal."

The price switching firm says the South East has the highest number of low income customers on single fuel tariffs, followed by the North West of England.