Call to name and shame the energy culprits

Consumer groups have called for energy companies which have received the highest number of complaints to be named and shamed by the industry watchdog.

Which? said that the Energy Ombudsman's annual report should show consumers which firms have attracted the most complaints in the year.

The report, published yesterday, revealed that 54,794 contacts had been made to the ombudsman - of which 24 per cent were considered. The rest were considered to be too early for the group to take action.

Before going to the Energy Ombudsman, consumers must give the company an opportunity to sort out the dispute. Companies signed up to the Energy Ombudsman have eight weeks to do this.

"The Energy Ombudsman should follow the lead of the Financial Ombudsman and name and shame those companies that have the most complaints upheld against them," said Richard Lloyd, executive director at Which? "The energy industry has such a poor record for providing good customer service that the ombudsman needs to use every tool available to improve this situation for consumers."