Member Article

Cheshire consumers switching on to authority’s ‘Fairerpower’ deal

A North West local authority has welcomed the findings of the Competition and Markets Authority into the need to reform the UK’s consumer energy market.

The CMA is highly critical of the Big Six suppliers, accusing them of profiteering and harming large groups of customers through a combination of deliberate tactics, including fostering apathy and misconceptions.

They are accused of a deliberate lack of transparency, confusing and inaccurate bills and the perception of difficulties in changing providers.

Cheshire East Council recently launched its own energy tariff, Fairerpower, in conjunction with OVO energy with the intention of taking on the Big Six and reducing fuel poverty.

After the first three months more than 2,000 customers are saving on average £220 - more than the £160 average annual saving the CMA feels is achievable by most users.

Fairerpower, which is also attracting customers from the 60 percent of people who have never switched, has also launched a Pay As You Go Tariff which is saving customers on average of £103 a year compared to the cheapest PAYG tariff.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council said: “I am pleased the CMA has carried out this investigation into the energy market. It was long overdue. I welcome its findings although we as a council have not sat back and waited for others to reform the market.”

“By successfully launching Fairerpower we are tackling fuel poverty amongst our residents while giving everyone the opportunity for a fairer deal on their energy useage.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .