Big Switch proves to be turn-off

A SCHEME which tried to “sell” thousands of energy customers to the energy company which offered them the lowest price for fuel was only a partial success, according to consumer watchdogs.

The Big Switch, which was run by Which? and backed by the government, was won by Co-operative Energy, who said they could save 30,000 people £123 a year on their energy bills.

However, many big utility companies decided not to sign up for the reverse auction – and the numbers who could actually benefit from the scheme is not as great as was hoped.

Last night it emerged that another company, First Utility, had already beaten the deal offered to Big Switch customers – undercutting the cheapest yearly offer by £1. Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: “The Big Switch was a brave and bold move, but the outcome is disappointing.

“Some 280,000 people signed up, and yet the winning deal will only be offered to 30,000 people on a first-come, first- served basis.”

If more than 30,000 people choose to switch, they will receive a fallback offer from EDF energy – but this is a tariff which is already on the market.

Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said the scheme had empowered consumers. “The Big Switch has moved the energy market and secured a better deal for thousands of people, reaching people who have never switched before.”

Energy and climate change Secretary Edward Davey said: “This is a fantastic outcome for the Big Switch. As a long-standing proponent of collective purchasing, I am pleased to see the concept being made a reality in the UK, and on such a scale.

“It’s a very encouraging outcome for collective switching in the UK energy market. ”