Switching suppliers

purrdy_2

I switched from NPower to British Gas last year onto their fixed tariff until September 2011 for gas and electric. I have now found out the hard way, that it was totally the wrong thing to do.
I live alone in a one bedroom flat. I have 3 night stores, a small old gas fire and a gas cooker (which I generally use only once or twice a week. I have lived here for over 20 years, and other than having full double glazing installed 18 months ago, nothing in my life or lifestyle has changed, except financially of course. I am now paying 70% more than I was this time last year for power, and I am currently in debit to BG for £400. I am paying a total of £104/month for both fuels.
When I recently told BG that that I was going to shop around for a better deal, they advised me that I would have to pay the opt out fee (I don’t have a problem with that), but they also advised that because of the money I owe them, no other supplier would accept a switch over.
I have recently been contacted by Scottish Power, and after a very lengthy (over an hour) chat with them, it would appear that they can offer me a better deal, it’s called ‘fix n flex’. I have read through it all and spent most of today doing calculations, and I feel that I must agree with them. I could get my payments down to a total of £80/month (a saving of 23%) for both fuels.
SP also told me that the comment by BG about other suppliers not accepting a switchover because of the amount I owe, was just scare tactics.
Now I am in a dilemma. I really need to reduce my monthly costs, but I am not in a position to pay BG what I owe them all at once, I am unemployed and only receive Jobseekers of £60/week, I have no savings at all.
By the way, when BG sold me the tariff last year they said my monthly payments would be £82/month, but once they got me signed up they they increased it to £104.
Can anyone please give me some impartial advice. If not, can anyone advise me who I can ask?
Thanks
Purrdy

Gerrard_8_lfc

SP would say it is scare tactics.

you can move but be prepare to pay £400 plus the exit penalty.

and if you try to move before that is done BG will just want the money sooner I am afraid.