The energy watchdog says switching provider could save you up to £90. Photograph: Action Press/Rex Features
Are you considering leaving British Gas? The utilities firm, which has 16 million customers in the UK, has today announced a 500% increase in profits - just weeks after putting up prices for customers on standard tariffs, and days after raising the price of its online tariff.
Last year, British Gas was the cheapest energy firm in the country and was able to attract back some of the customers it had lost in the previous round of price rises. Now, according to Moneysupermarket, that's no longer the case - it says Eon currently offers the best prices in much of the UK, even though it too recently increased its tariffs. And according to uSwitch, if you are with British Gas "there are plenty of other suppliers out there who are prepared to offer you a better price, better service and a better deal".
The energy regulator, Ofgem, says more than half of consumers have shopped around and switched provider, but there are still many households who are sticking with the firm they inherited when they bought their house. Are you one of them? And are you staying put because you're nervous about switching? If you do switch, energywatch reckons you can save about £90 a year - have you weighed it up and decided it's not worth the hassle? Or are you happy with the company you use?
