Collective switching delivers results

Collective switching schemes in which households club together to switch energy supplier helped over 21,000 save an average £131 on their energy bills, a report published today (30 October) has found.

The report, ‘Helping Consumers Switch: Collective Switching and Beyond’, looked at 27 collective switching schemes across the country and found that participating households saved a total of £2.7million, an average of £131 per household. One scheme in Nottingham saved an average of £225 per household. 

During a seminar discussing the benefits of collective switching with consumer groups, local authorities, community organisations and industry, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey said:

"The competition we are introducing to the energy market means people have a real choice. They can look for the best deal available, including from smaller suppliers, with the confidence that switching will make an immediate difference to their bills and force the Big 6 to compete on price.

"Up and down the country, collective switching schemes have saved people money and increased engagement in the energy market. Collective switching gives power to communities by bringing people together to find the best deal for them.

"We must now look at how we can replicate the success of these pioneering schemes and get more people to take part."

A further 77 local authorities are are set to run further collective switching schemes soon

An infographic showing the collective switching schemes around the country can be viewed here.