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Consumers More Likely to Switch Energy Supplier than Other Providers

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28% of consumers switched energy supplier in the 12 months to June, more than swapped their mobile phone, broadband and pay-TV providers.

That’s according to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's (BEIS) latest public attitudes tracker, which polled consumers about their energy-buying habits and opinions on the country’s net-zero goal and renewable energy.

The findings indicate that the energy market sees more churn than many others. While consumers were most likely (34%) to swap car insurance provider, in a market where year-long contracts are standard, energy consumers were the second most active.

In comparison, just 17% of mobile phone customers moved to a new operator, 15% got a new ISP and 8% moved to a new pay-TV provider.

However, 46% of consumers didn’t switch a single provider over the last year, suggesting that millions are being hit with “loyalty penalties.” The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has estimated that consumers pay an additional £4 billion a year for failing to switch their broadband, mobile phone, mortgage, home insurance and savings providers.

That is despite switching being a hitch-free experience for most customer. Only 10% of customers ran into problems when moving to a new provider or contract.

Those who didn’t switch said it was because they are happy with their current provider (62%), couldn’t find a better deal (30%), didn’t think it would make a difference (14%) or thought it would be too much of a hassle (14%).

However, an estimated 11 million households are on standard variable or default energy tariffs, likely overpaying. Their bills are limited by the energy price cap but they can still save more by shopping around and switching.

Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority (80%) of Britons support renewable energy and just 2% oppose it.

Britons are more polarised about shale gas fracking, with 36% opposed to it, 25% in support, and 28% neither opposed nor in favour. The government implemented a moratorium on fracking last November.

Climate change continues to weigh on Britons' minds. More than eight in 10 (81%) of respondents reported being very concerned (35%) or fairly concerned (46%) about it.

63% of the public are aware of the UK’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, up from 52% in March. 

However, awareness of the target isn’t even across society with 74% of wealthier Britons (in NRS social grades A and B—upper middle class and middle middle class) having heard of the 2050 deadline, compared to just 54% of working-class and non-working Britons (social grades D and E).

Lauren Smith
Lauren Smith

Lauren Smith has worked as a journalist and copywriter for most of the last decade, covering technology, energy, and consumer rights, in the US and UK.

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