Brits feel ripped off by energy giants

The gas and electricity price rises of the past two months from five of the big six energy providers have left Brits fuming. Ninety-five per cent say they are being ripped off by energy companies.

The moneysupermarket.com poll of over 2,700 Brits found only two per cent thought the price rises were justified.

The increases mean it is even more important for people to get on the cheapest tariff for their area and usage.

Scott Byrom, utilities manager at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: " People are quite rightly getting hot under the collar at the prospect of average annual bills of over £1,000, but barely any of us should be paying that much.

"The best tariffs for medium users of gas and electricity in each of Britain's 14 regions vary from £739 in South East England to £787 in South Wales – or just over £2 a day – which shouldn't get anyone too steamed.

"The problem is that 63 per cent of Brits are burning a hole in their pockets by being on Standard tariffs. Instead of signing up online and then paying monthly by direct debit, people are still getting a bill mailed to them every three months and paying by cash or cheque. You might as well set fire to a few £50 notes.

"E.On is a classic example with its Standard dual fuel tariff averaging £1,062 for medium users, but only £769 for its EnergyOnline Extra Saver 5 tariff – or almost £300 less.

"There is little doubt the three per cent of Brits who said on our poll that they 'aren't happy about the increases but they think they get a fair deal' are all on online, monthly direct debit tariffs."

In five of Britain's 14 regions, the cheapest tariff can vary according to your usage.

Scott Byrom added: "The formula is pretty simple in eight regions where E.On's EnergyOnline Extra Saver 5 is the cheapest tariff, whether you are a high, medium or low user. In Eastern England, it is Atlantic Standard Online that is cheapest for all three.

"But in the five English regions that cover the north and the midlands, the cheapest tariff differs depending on your use. If you don't know your usage, your current provider should have your consumption over the past 12 months or you can look at your past bills to check."