MSE News: 'Millions paying too much for energy bills'

st999

Or are in fact by people unable to use or don't have access to the internet,

I have a few friends who do not have access to the internet at home and still have internet tariffs.

How?
I run their online accounts for them.
They give me readings and I enter them for them.

Just because you don't have internet access at home doesn't mean you can't get the cheapest tariff.

Bark01

WestonDave wrote: »

Its quite ironic that barely months after the 4 tariff rule was brought in to improve clarity and thereby competition, its now being suggested for removal to improve competition!

Just a small note on this, it was always envisaged the 4 tariff cap would be a temporary rule.

A lot of the RMR regulations were essentially trying to wipe the slate clean of bad practice and confusing tariffs. Once this was achieved the market would be allowed to grow again but under tighter regulation.

Pincher

I am fixed till March 2016 at:


Electricity 9.977p + VAT = 10.47p


Gas 2.857p + VAT = 3.0p


In fact, this past winter I was so happy with the price, I used a lot more than last year on central heating. and I fully intend to do so up to March 2016.

davidgmmafan

"It seems that the only way to stop this would be to only have a single tariff - and to hell with the notion of competition."


Not exactly, petrol station style pricing would allow people to see at a glance who was cheaper. There could still be fixed or capped rates in such a scenario.


I do agree though that it isn't as simple as just saying those on the standard rate are being overcharged. If everyone changed from this tomorrow could the market handle it? If not then there are serious
issues.


I think the CMA or whoever need to dig a little deeper into the discounts given - is direct debit and online really £100 or so per year cheaper for the supplier to run?


Finally I can't say I'm surprised Ofgem has made the situation worse. They lost the plot some time ago and need to be replaced. Just look at the gas sculpting debacle. Consumer Focus secured a much better outcome for customers after Ofgem had a go despite having no real power.

modsandmockers

Pincher wrote: »

I am fixed till March 2016 at:


Electricity 9.977p + VAT = 10.47p


Gas 2.857p + VAT = 3.0p


In fact, this past winter I was so happy with the price, I used a lot more than last year on central heating. and I fully intend to do so up to March 2016.

The prices you quote are meaningless without the inclusion of the daily standing charge!

Pincher

modsandmockers wrote: »

The prices you quote are meaningless without the inclusion of the daily standing charge!

Electricity 19.570p + VAT = 20.55p /day

Gas 19.570p + VAT = 20.55p /day


The significance of +/- £20 on SD a year on a £1,300 bill is lost on me.
There is also around £10 online discount, if you really care.

modsandmockers

Pincher wrote: »

Electricity 19.570p + VAT = 20.55p /day

Gas 19.570p + VAT = 20.55p /day


The significance of +/- £20 on SD a year on a £1,300 bill is lost on me.
There is also around £10 online discount, if you really care.

41.1ppd=£150.02per annum. That's a helluva lot to a very low user like me!

Bark01

davidgmmafan wrote: »

"It seems that the only way to stop this would be to only have a single tariff - and to hell with the notion of competition."


Not exactly, petrol station style pricing would allow people to see at a glance who was cheaper. There could still be fixed or capped rates in such a scenario.

EDF and Which both campaigned for single unit rate pricing a year or two ago, but no supplier would go for it unless the whole market changed.

The other option is to have a regulated standing charge where all suppliers charge the same standing cahrge but are allowed to offer different unit rates. It would need to be regional different other wise some suppliers would profit from it. But a regional standing charge wouldn't be an issue comparison wise as each comparison would use a single charge.

modsandmockers

Bark01 wrote: »

The other option is to have a regulated standing charge where all suppliers charge the same standing cahrge but are allowed to offer different unit rates

An even better option would be to require the standing charge to provide an accurate reflection of the company's fixed costs - the system we have now is just another version of the two-tier tariffs which have been banned. If the standing charge were to fulfil it's purported purpose, then it would provide a useful way for customers to compare the cost efficiency of the various suppliers.

LadyDee

matelodave wrote: »

People have a choice to get their leccy or gas from whoever supplies it, the same way as they can either get their petrol from Esso, BP or Tesco.
Likewise with their shopping - Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Sainsbury's etc etc.


If they are too idle to get off their backsides and look around for a better deal why should the rest of us who do subsidise them.


If those who take gas, leccy, petrol, bread or cakes without paying then they should be prosecuted, not told that they will be let off and some other mug will pay or bail them out - sounds a bit like Greece.


Please lend some more so I can pay off my debts and be even more in debt and when I've got even deeper in the mire expect it to be waived because it's someone else's fault for letting me borrow it.


The world is going mad.

Many people do not have a choice.Living on a Park Home estate the only gas supplier is Calor, electricity is centrally supplied and meters read monthly. We pay through the nose for both.