MSE News: Millions on standard variable tariffs for over three years

Former_MSE_Callum

More than a third of UK customers have been overpaying for their gas and electricity on a standard variable tariff for at least three years, it has emerged...

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'Millions on standard variable tariff for over three years'

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matelodave

So what - they've all had the same chance as the rest of us to shift suppliers or tariffs. It's non-news again

spiro

The boss of BG said the other day he wanted SVT scrapped but the suopplier licence requires them to offer it.

[Deleted User]

@spiro
I bet he didn't want to scrap the high cost part of it, just the fact that people can leave if they ever wake up and smell the roses. BG would love to tie in all their customers to rip off prices.

Cardew

Surely it is common knowledge that since the privatisation of gas/electricity in 1990 the majority of customers have remained with British Gas for gas and the 'default' regional electricity company.

silvercar

Cardew wrote: »

Surely it is common knowledge that since the privatisation of gas/electricity in 1990 the majority of customers have remained with British Gas for gas and the 'default' regional electricity company.

Would have thought so. To add, people that have changed once are more likely to change again.

In fact an article in The Times today, says that it is predominantly the elderly and the vunerable who have remained with the pre-privatisation companies. Which does now beg the moral question of whether the high difference between the best deals and the the SVR is morally correct.

victor2

Cardew wrote: »

Surely it is common knowledge that since the privatisation of gas/electricity in 1990 the majority of customers have remained with British Gas for gas and the 'default' regional electricity company.

Indeed. There are still generations of people who dealt with 2 to 5 star petrol, diesel was for trucks and gas and electricity came from the gas board and electricity board. They have heard of the internet, but have little idea what it is and have no intention of learning to use a computer.
Why would they "switch" to save a bit of money? They still need their utilities, so it isn't as if they can eliminate that cost altogether.
Even those older people who, mostly under pressure from their children or grandchildren, have accepted a computer and got broadband installed to access the internet, have absolutely no intention of actually purchasing anything online or doing anything as risky (as they see it) as online banking.

spiro

victor2 wrote: »

Indeed. There are still generations of people who dealt with 2 to 5 star petrol, diesel was for trucks and gas and electricity came from the gas board and electricity board. They have heard of the internet, but have little idea what it is and have no intention of learning to use a computer.
Why would they "switch" to save a bit of money? They still need their utilities, so it isn't as if they can eliminate that cost altogether.
Even those older people who, mostly under pressure from their children or grandchildren, have accepted a computer and got broadband installed to access the internet, have absolutely no intention of actually purchasing anything online or doing anything as risky (as they see it) as online banking.

I think you are generalising too much. I know koads of elderly people who have pc's etc through choice and very IT literate. What surprises me is the number of people who are more put off by not wanting to pay by DD. Surely especially if you are low income pay the same winter and summer is a better way to budget than end up with a large winter bill not long after Christmas.

victor2

spiro wrote: »

I think you are generalising too much. I know koads of elderly people who have pc's etc through choice and very IT literate. What surprises me is the number of people who are more put off by not wanting to pay by DD. Surely especially if you are low income pay the same winter and summer is a better way to budget than end up with a large winter bill not long after Christmas.

Maybe, but I base my opinion (and it is just that) on several years of helping elderly beginners come to grips with using a computer and the internet. In that time I have never had one who has wanted to learn online banking, usually just the opposite.
Coping with email, perhaps Facebook (under pressure from relatives) and generally finding things on the net is usually enough.

Swipe

An internet connect is not required to move from the standard variable tariff. All it takes is a phone call to your supplier and ask to be put on their cheapest tariff.

Southend1

High time the farce of privatisation was reversed. Every year I go through the ridiculous charade of switching to get the same gas and electricity from the same pipes and cables at a higher price than I would be charged by a nationalised utility run in the public interest.