Energy bills still baffling consumers

Six out of 10 consumers still do not understand their energy bill a full two years after the introduction of reforms designed to make the information simpler and clearer.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Apr 2016, 00:52 BST

Almost half of bill-payers say they have seen no difference to their statements and more than half are unable to recall seeing any information about cheaper tariffs - a requirement of regulator Ofgem’s April 2014 reforms, the poll for comparison site uSwitch.com found.

Of those who knew that the cheapest tariff is displayed on bills, fewer than half had switched.

Younger consumers have the lowest level of bill comprehension, with 68 per cent of those aged 18 to 35 admitting they do not fully understand their statement, compared with 62 per cent of those aged 35 to 54 and 53 per cent of those aged 55 and over.

:: Opinium surveyed 2,000 UK energy bill-payers online between February 15-19.

Energy bills Ofgem