THE UK ENERGY SCENE - OR OBSCENE?
A number of people are reluctant to switch their utility providers believing that their old monopoly supplier looks after them. And it is only by you saying No! (and many people have) that the old monopoly suppliers are forced to compete on prices; so how much are you paying for Your loyalty? See case study.

2005 MORE PAIN FOR ENERGY CUSTOMERS
September- British Gas announce a 14.2% increase in their gas and electricity prices.
Centrica (Parent Company of British Gas) announce half year profits of £967 million.
July - Another energy supplier adds to the misery as EDF Energy announce further price hikes.
February - British Gas reports 83% rise in operating profits, and 62% rise in customer margins.
Consumer hit as Scottish and Southern Energy announce price hikes.
January - ScottishPower, Powergen and EDF customers suffer UK energy giant Powergen is the third energy company to announce inflation busting price hikes this year, by increasing prices for existing Energy Online and new Age Concern customers.
ScottishPower has introduced price rises for all online customers effective 10 January 2005.
Powergen's price changes have also come hot on the heels of EDF's price rise.
Southern Energy announced a fresh round of price hikes for all new and existing energy customers.

However, some customers can still make significant savings by switching.
Check it out - price comparison tool

Significant price rises were enforced on British households during 2004, and this trend has continued throughout 2005. Our Spendable Income Index predicts additional energy increases of 9 per cent this year, therefore it is vital that customers become even more savvy about saving money by switching away when prices rise. If you've yet to change suppliers you could be missing out on huge savings, especially if your current supplier has increased its prices this year. Do make use of this site, and see if you to can save money on household bills.

THE PREVIOUS YEAR OF WOE!
2004 A Dismal Year for Home Energy Consumers

Where to start! some editorial highlights.
British Gas - Second Increase combined average in year 15.3% electricity, and 18.3% gas.
Atlantic - Gas price up 15.2%
Powergen - Customers to face third increase in a year. Now combined average in year rise of nearly 18%.
Telecom Plus - Second increase combined average in year of 14.3% on gas, 6.6% on electricity.
Scottish Power - Second gas and electricity hike combined average in year about 17% for conventional billing and 7% on line billing.
N power - Second gas and electricity hike total increases electricity combined increase 10.7% and gas 17.9%.
EDF Energy - Average rise 7.2 %.
Scottish & Southern - Average rise 6%.

It’s easy to look at the whole picture objectively if you use an impartial online price comparison tool. The results are displayed in a table to make comparisons easy. Switching data is updated regularly and can give you a comprehensive guide to the best and worst suppliers for your area. Switching suppliers need not be a long, complicated process.