Why not just ban tiered pricing and standing charges?

jd87

It's clear to everyone that comparing energy prices is made deliberately impossible by the energy companies. So much so that an entire industry of price comparison websites has appeared. Why doesn't the government (or regulator or whoever) just ban tiered pricing and standing charges so that we can compare prices easily for ourselves? Does anyone know if the government are doing anything about this? What can we do to force change?

Ken68

Yes jd....it is in the pipeline, in due course the full force of Ofgem will be unleashed. Laugh out Loud.

bristol_pilot

I agree with the proposal in principle.

But it would be politically difficult for the government as the effect would be to incease bills for those consumers who use the most fuel, which is poor families and pensioners.

Vestra

Surely there will then be one supplier who is cheaper then everyone will switch to that one provider?

1carminestocky

Landline Phone Line Rental tariffs are certainly far less confusing than gas and electric tariffs and BT are still the market leader so I'm not sure your theory would pan out in reality.

Eagle15

Companies have multiple, complex tariffs so that the majority of consumers are confused. That way most consumers end up paying more than they need.
You cannot expect a government whose motto is 'way too little, way too late' to do anything about it.