SSE Tops uSwitch Energy Supplier Survey October 30, 2008
Posted by andrewmcd in UK Energy Suppliers, UK electricity, UK energy, UK gas.Tags: energy-prices, energy-supplier, UK energy, UK Energy Suppliers, uswitch
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Yes, its that exciting time of year again – the uSwitch gas and electricity suppliers survey results have been announced. This year uSwitch questioned 5,465 UK energy customers at the end of September – and found 41% of customers are unsatisfied with the “big six” energy suppliers compared with 33% in October last year. This rise can mainly be attributed to the signifcant rise in gas and electricity bills over the past few months. There is no excuse for poor customer service at any time.
Scottish and Southern Energy topped the best supplier survey for the fifth consecutive year. Here are the results:
- Scottish and Southern Energy
- EDF
- Scottish Power
- E.ON
- British Gas
- Npower
Government reacts to rising energy costs September 12, 2008
Posted by andrewmcd in UK Energy Policy, UK Energy Suppliers, UK energy, energy.Tags: energy-efficiency, uk electricity price, UK energy, UK Energy Policy, UK Energy Suppliers
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As if in reponse to our previous post for action, Prime Minister Gordon Brown this week unveiled £910m deal with some of the the biggest energy providers in order to tackle the huge increases in energy costs. It appears that the Government has began to take the energy efficiency message on board, and is implementing for a mass awareness campaign targeting those who are struggling the most to pay their energy bills. Coupled with this campaign are practical measures designed to help the most vulnerable in society. Amongst the measures that are outlined are:
- Free cavity wall and loft insulation for pensioners and poor households
- 50% off cost of insulation for all households
- Freeze on this year’s bills for half a million poor consumers
- Partial reversal of cut to warm front programme giving free central heating to poorest pensioners
- Cold weather payments to go up from £8.50 a week to £25 a week for pensioners, disabled people and unemployed families with children under five – if temperatures drop below zero for seven consecutive days
This is all a greatly encouraging, and we are enthusiastic at the attempt to get the energy efficiency message across. It is interesting to see the government and the energy companies addressing the issue. Hopefully, this will alleviate the billing pain being felt by many and increase the green energy momentum that has been lost. There are a great number of people who will benefit greatly from this scheme. Government officials are going to be going to the streets in an attempt to get the energy efficiency message across directly – a bold move.
We cannot help feel however that any positive effects achieved by this initial implementation are likely to be offset by the millions who will miss out. Like all these schemes and proposals, there will be those who are not ‘poor’ enough to receive support or ‘rich’ enough to implement the measures themselves. Surely, those caught in this bracket are going to prioritise. In the face of increasing food, clothing and petrol costs, is increasing the energy effieciency of a home likely to be priority?
Rising Energy Prices – Time for action? August 26, 2008
Posted by andrewmcd in energy.Tags: bio-energy, clean-energy, energy, energy-prices, Green Energy, UK Energy Suppliers
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Energy Windfall Tax?
The incredible energy price rises announced recently by many major UK suppliers has led to calls from some MPs for an energy windfall tax. The government is said to be considering all options, and although windfall tax is a possibility, Gordon Brown’s preffered option is thought to be the enforcement of a Carbon Emissions Levy.
Action on energy required
The consensus view is that as the government has to do something. A gesture to appease consumers is required. There is a great deal of resentment building as people becoming increasingly enraged at the rise in their energy bills – whilst the profits of these companies go through the roof. The percieved lack of fairness is the issue here. Most customers have no problem with these companies making a profit – they are businesses after all – it is the vulgarity of the pay rewards to chief executives and the like that really upsets the general public.
Explaining Energy
There is a great possibility of a huge rise in unpaid bills. Energy is a difficult sector, as most people take their household power for granted. There is very little appreciation that producing this energy actually requires a huge technological infrastructure. Perhaps, instead of promoting meaningless offers that deliver little benefit to consumers and giving huge payouts to themselves, it would be far more preferable if these companies began investing in educational campaigns. These could explain exactly where and how household energy is generated, the procedures involved – even outline the difficulties that can occur. In the process, this may give a greater insight into why prices have had to rise so significantly and perhaps soften public opinion a little.
