Energy Firms To Offer Cost Cutting Advice

Energy company bosses have agreed a number of measures aimed at cutting household energy bills after a summit meeting with the Prime Minister.

Companies will now display information on customer's bills this winter offering advice on getting the best energy deals.

This will include switching to rival providers or different payment methods as well as taking advantage of free or subsidised insulation.

Following the summit David Cameron announced: "We are making energy companies be competitive.

"They're permanently being watched by Ofgem to make sure it is a competitive market, and we are making them make their energy available so that others can come in and provide customers with a good service.

"We're also writing to millions of customers today to encourage them to shop around to get the cheapest possible deal they can for their energy.

"So this is about the Government, about the Citizens Advice Bureau, about other organisations, all working together to help people to keep their energy bills down."

The coalition Government was aiming to get on the front foot on energy bills after Labour leader Ed Miliband attacked the "rigged" market in Britain.

Shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint said: "The Government's warm words won't heat homes during a bitter winter.

"They're unable to take on vested interests, they won't tackle the spiralling prices imposed by the energy giants, they won't investigate the mis-selling of energy and they won't help the pensioners whose winter fuel payments have been cut.

"Unless the out-of-touch Government gets to grips with the real issues at the energy summit, their only promise is a cold, costly winter for all."

Mr Miliband told the Boulton and Co programme ministers must use the "bully pulpit" of Government to put more pressure on companies.

A former Energy Secretary, he said when he was in office firms did not have the record profits they have now.

He acknowledged green policies did require investment but agreed with Mr Huhne it was still the right thing to do.

"It is important the Government is honest - the transition to green energy will cost money... But if you stay with the high-carbon option, that's going to cost more too," he said.

"There is no low-cost option out there."

The profit firms get from each household has increased from £15 a year to £125 a year in the last few months, Labour has said.

Richard Lloyd, executive director of consumer group Which? , was among those attending the meeting.

He said: "This is an opportunity for the energy suppliers to show they understand how angry people are about rapidly rising prices and bad customer service.

"It is also an opportunity for the Prime Minister to show a real commitment to reforming the energy market so that fuel is affordable for all consumers."