Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Energy Advice Line calls for checks on accuracy of business electricity bills

21 August 2012

The Energy Advice Line has supported calls by energy regulator Ofgem for business electricity and domestic bills issued by the Big Six suppliers to be independently verified.

But the UK’s leading price business electricity price comparison and switching service has renewed calls for the appointment of an independent business energy watchdog to do the checking and enforce good behaviour by suppliers.

According to reports, Ofgem last week wrote to trade body Energy UK, which represents suppliers and operates a Code of Practice for Accurate Bills.

In the letter, Ofgem’s Anthony Pygram said that some energy customers might not have had “clear and accurate” billing information if prices changed during the billing period.

Although there was no evidence of “systematic errors”, Mr Pygram questioned whether suppliers were complying with Energy UK’s Code of Practice.

“As Energy UK is the owner of the code, we wanted to draw the issue explained above to your attention so that you may consider in the first instance whether suppliers are acting in compliance with the code,” Mr Pygram’s letter said.

“Of course, this is without prejudice to the possibility that Ofgem may take action in the future if deemed appropriate.”

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, said Ofgem’s letter to Energy UK was further evidence of the need for an independent business energy watchdog.

“Ofgem clearly has doubts about the accuracy of some billing information and of course it is appropriate that this be verified and checked,” Mr Morgan said.

“Whether Energy UK is best placed to do this is doubtful – after all, it is a trade body representing suppliers themselves.

“We have long been calling for the appointment of an enforcement body to ensure that Codes of Practice like this, and other regulatory reforms, have teeth and will be taken seriously by suppliers.

“There is no point having a Code of Practice unless it is referred to in the actual supply licence as a stipulation for suppliers to adhere to, and unless that Code is policed by a body with powers to enforce it.”

Business groups have previously warned that Ofgem’s proposals for a shake-up of the business energy market could be undermined due to lack of an enforcement body.

Consumer watchdog Consumer Focus is due to be disbanded in 2013, with some of its functions passed to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB).

“Consumer Focus would have been the most sensible option as the watchdog, as long as it was given powers by Ofgem or the government to enforce reforms. But with Consumer Focus non-existent after 2013, Ofgem needs to consider which body will enforce good behaviour by suppliers.”

The Energy Advice Line is the UK’s leading business electricity price comparison and switching services, and enables firms to compare the market for the best possible business energy deals at the touch of a button.

The service has a team of business experts who can give advice about business energy contracts and how to avoid expensive contract rollovers. For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

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AUTHOR
Julian Morgan, MD Energy Advice Line
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New energy supplier appeals to fed-up business electricity users

14 August 2012

A new energy company that specializes in supplying small and medium-sized firms hopes to win over UK business electricity customers fed up with the spiralling prices and poor customer service currently offered by the Big Six.

New entrant to the UK market, Hudson Energy, which supplies gas and electricity to more than 120,000 commercial energy users in Canada and the US, will start selling business electricity to UK customers this week.

Steve Fitzsimons, Hudson’s UK sales and marketing director, said the company would primarily sell business electricity contracts through energy agents and not directly to businesses.

This would mean that the company, which employs only 30 UK staff, would not need a big sales team and could keep costs down, enabling it to offer cheaper energy.

The big six suppliers – British Gas, NPower, EDF, ScottishPower, Eon and Scottish and Southern Energy – had not always focused enough on business customers’ needs, he said.

“Our offering is a vanilla offering – we’ll sell you the energy you want,” Mr Fitzsimons said.

Mr Fitzsimons said the company would aim to differentiate itself from the Big Six suppliers who were frequently accused of failing to be transparent about their pricing and raising prices when business energy contracts came up for renewal.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, the UK’s leading business electricity price comparison and switching site, welcomed Hudson’s entry into the UK market, saying it was about time the Big Six faced a new challenger.

“More competition in the UK energy market can only be a good thing for business electricity users fed up with the deal they have been getting – both in terms of price and customers service – from the Big Six,” Mr Morgan said.

“Business electricity users want cheaper energy, clearer pricing and better customer service. In particular, they want an end to expensive rollover deals where they get trapped in expensive contracts when their fixed-price arrangements end.

“If Hudson can deliver on these points and offer real competition, it will be a positive addition to the UK energy market.”

Mr Morgan said that Hudson’s decision to make its business electricity available primarily through brokers underscored the benefit to firms of using reputable, independent price comparison services like the Energy Advice Line.

“We often have access to business electricity deals that are not available if you go to electricity companies directly. Plus, we take the legwork out of what can be a complex and time-consuming job, and free up businesses owners to get on with running their organizations,” Mr Morgan said.

“Using our service is incredibly quick and simple – just a few clicks of the keyboard will enable you to search the market and generate the best available business energy deals from our panel of suppliers,” Mr Morgan said.

“But our service isn’t just about saving our customers money. We offer a free contract management service that means our team of business energy experts is on hand to help with problems for the duration of the contract.

“We’ll even give you a reminder when your fixed-contracted is about to come to an end.”

The Energy Advice Line is the UK’s only impartial business electricity price comparison and switching service exclusively for business. It has campaigned for utility companies to change their business energy contracts and billing arrangements to make it easier for firms to switch suppliers to get the best business electricity rates and gas deals.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.com

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Energy Advice Line renews calls for ban on cold calling

19 July 2012

The Energy Advice Line has renewed calls for Ofgem to ban the practice of cold calling following the case of a Leicestershire man who changed his name to avoid being plagued by sales calls.

The UK’s leading business electricity price comparison and switching service has spearheaded a campaign to persuade the energy regulator to ban energy companies from making unsolicited sales calls combined with high-pressure selling techniques.

Some business electricity users have reported receiving up to 30 calls a day from rogue energy agents while others have complained of being contacted by callers fraudulently posing as meter “officials” to win their business.

Leicestershire man Tim Price recently said he was so fed up with cold-calling salesmen that he changed his name by deed poll, adding an extra nine Ps to his name, to deter the callers.

“It’s pronounced Tim Per-per-per-per-per-per-per-per-per-per-rice,” he told the Leicester Mercury. “I like it. I did it to put them off, all these people who keep calling me trying to sell me things I don’t want.

“I must be on some kind of list. God knows how – I’m ex-directory.

“My theory is that when these salesmen see my name on their list of names to call, they’ll think: ‘Blow that – I can’t even pronounce his name, so I won’t call him’.”

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, said the case of Mr Price highlighted the extent to which some people were hounded by cold-callers.

“Mr Price is having a bit of fun, but for many business owners cold calling by energy companies is anything but amusing,” Mr Morgan said.

“Some business electricity users have been plagued to the point where they have had to stop answering their telephones. In one case, a business owner was bombarded with calls during a funeral despite asking the callers to stop.

“You wouldn’t believe the stories we have heard abut the lengths these callers will go to in order to get customers to sign up to energy contracts.”

Mr Morgan said the Energy Advice Line’s Say No To Cold Calls campaign was aimed at putting pressure on Ofgem to protect business electricity users from highly suspect, high-pressure sales activity.

Business owners who had just moved premises appeared to be particular targets of the rogue agents who appeared to have inside knowledge about their premises, leases and business energy contracts.

Mr Morgan said it would present its evidence to Ofgem soon about the cold-calling activities of energy suppliers.

The Energy Advice Line has produced guidance for firms to follow to avoid being locked into the expensive business electricity and gas deals being touted by cold callers.

  1. Speak to a price comparison service that has a large panel of suppliers – check that they are not just working for one specific supplier with a view to making as much commission as possible.
  2. Say No to Cold Calling: do not accept an energy deal from someone who calls you out of the blue. The price is usually 20%–30% above of the current retail price.
  3. Verify who you are talking to: ring the company back and ask to speak to your account manager to ensure they are being truthful about the company they represent
  4. Price transparency: go with a price comparison service prepared to put the energy tariffs they offer on their website so you can be sure you are making the right choice
  5. Commission transparency: if you want to know how much commission the agency is earning from the switch just ask. A reputable service will tell you. If they will not tell you, be suspicious
  6. Pressure selling: a professional impartial and transparent service will not exert any pressure on you to enter into a contract, and will give you the information and time you need to ensure you are making the right choice.

You can join the Say No to Cold Calling campaign and get further information at www.energyadviceline.org.uk/say-no-to-cold-calling.php

You can also follow the campaign on twitter @SayNoToColdCall

If you believe you have been tricked into an expensive energy contract by a cold-caller, one of our team of business energy contract experts may be able to help – call 0800 915 1800.

The Energy Advice Line is the UK’s only impartial business electricity price comparison and switching service exclusively for business. It has campaigned for utility companies to change their business energy contracts and billing arrangements to make it easier for firms to switch suppliers to get the best business electricity rates and gas deals.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

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Businesses electricity users might lose out under Green Deal says Labour

11 July 2012

Business electricity users will not make the savings promised under the Government’s Green Deal due to the high interest rates being used, according to Labour.

Opposition MPs have called on the government to change the way the Green Deal loans are issued, warning that high commercial interest rates could undermine the innovative financing scheme.

Under the Green Deal, due to be launched from October, householders and business energy users will be able to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their properties through special Green Deal financing. These loans will be paid back through a levy on electricity bills.

A fundamental ‘golden rule’ of the scheme is that the levy payments should be less than the savings achieved through making the improvements, thereby saving householders and business electricity users money.

However, with MPs preparing to vote on the last round of Green Deal legislation, Labour has warned that the high commercial interest rates on the loans could leave consumers out of pocket.

According to Labour’s calculations, an interest rate of 7.5 per cent would mean that a business taking out a Green Deal loan of £10,000 would have to pay back around £22,000 over 25 years and deliver energy efficiency savings of £900 a year to cover the cost of the repayments.

“The loan repayments could end up being more than double the amount of the loan and you’d have to cut the average energy bill by around three quarters to comply with the ‘golden rule’,” a Labour spokesman told the BusinessGreen website.

“That is going to be a very tough ask and even if you can do it people are only going to end up saving very small amounts, which will make it difficult to attract them to the scheme.”

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) claims most energy efficiency savings undertaken by householders and businesses will cost less than £10,000. Further, special subsidised work will be provided to fuel-poor households and difficult to treat properties.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, the UK’s leading price comparison and switching service for business, urged business electricity users to carefully consider whether Green Deal financing would benefit their organisations.

“It is well worth doing the numbers to work out whether energy-efficiency improvements to business premises like the installation of insulation would lead to lower business electricity bills, “ Mr Morgan said.

“Although the financial savings might not appear substantial under the Green Deal, it is important to remember that business energy costs are rising, so future savings may be significant.

“However, firms need to remember that the quickest and simplest way to reduce business energy costs is to compare business electricity and gas prices and switch suppliers when possible.

“We have a quick and easy process that enables firms to compare the market to make sure they are getting the best possible deal. Our team of business energy experts will handle the switchover process from start to finish and provide a free contract management service.”

The Energy Advice Line is a consumer champion and the UK’s only independent price comparison and switching services exclusively for small and medium-sized businesses. The service enables firms to quickly and simply compare business energy prices, and to switch to the best available deal on the market.

For further information or a free quotation, visit www.energyadviceline.com

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Business electricity users can switch off to save money

29 June 2012

Business electricity users could learn lessons from a new report that shows UK householders are wasting up to £1.3 billion a year by leaving electrical devices on stand-by or left on when not in use, according to the Energy Advice Line.

The study, Powering the Nation, investigated real-time energy use by householders who had advanced smart meters installed to measure the amount of energy used by every electrical device in the home.

The results showed that householders were reluctant to turn off appliances when not in use and relied on standby settings, which added significant sums to energy bills over the course of a year.

The study, conducted by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DEFRA) and the Energy Saving Trust, coincided with the release of a report by major electronics firms which found that tougher energy standards for electrical equipment could save business electricity users and householders €90 billion a year.

Managing director of the Energy Advice Line, Julian Morgan, said both reports demonstrated the value to businesses of making energy consumption one of their highest priorities.

“For many small and medium-sized firms, energy is now one of their most significant overheads,” Mr Morgan said. “Unfortunately, many don’t give it the priority it deserves because they think there is little they can do to mitigate against rising energy costs. The fact is there is a great deal they can do.

“It makes sense for firms to undertake a top to bottom analysis of their business electricity use. Consider every appliance and whether it needs to be kept on standby or even plugged in.

“According to the Powering the Nation report, householders can save £85 each on their electricity bills each year by turning off televisions, computers and other electronics. Business electricity users should think about what they could save by doing the same.”

Mr Morgan said that it was also essential for businesses to examine their energy contracts and to stay in control of their energy spend, rather than leaving it in the hands of energy suppliers.

“The only way for firms to keep their business electricity costs down is to ensure they know when their fixed-term energy contracts expire, to give timely notice to their supplier that they are switching, and search the market for a better deal,” Mr Morgan said.

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Businesses offered cash to reduce energy use under government reforms

25 June 2012

Business electricity users that reduce their consumption at peak times could receive a cash bonus under reforms set out in the government’s draft energy bill.

Under the plans, auctions will be held from 2014 to allow electricity generators to bid to supply back-up electricity at times of increased demand. Only generators that pay companies to curb their energy use at peak times will be allowed to participate in the scheme.

The government hopes that as well as being environmentally friendly, this ‘demand response’ approach will help to ensure that there are sufficient energy supplies to go around.

Energy analysts have welcomed the proposal, arguing that it will be a cheaper way of matching energy supply to demand than simply building new power plants.

But some argue that business electricity users will have to change their mindset about the energy their organizations use if they are to benefit from such a scheme.

Ronan O’Regan, director of PwC’s renewables and low carbon group said many businesses would have to rethink their approach to energy efficiency.

“It’s partly about engagement and convincing large energy users to think about [energy] demand as a source of revenue,” Mr O’Regan told online magazine Business Green.

“Their mentality is that energy is a cost to be kept down and the core business is producing widgets.

“It’s up to energy users to participate, but at least they have the option. And what should happen is that as energy prices continue to rise, it does start to focus [companies'] attention on how to better manage energy.”

Julian Morgan, managing director of the UK’s leading price comparison and switching service for business electricity users, agreed that firms needed to rethink their approach to using and paying for energy.

“Business electricity users do need to change their mindset; energy can be one of the most significant financial overheads that an organization has to deal with.

“Of course they need to think about using energy in the most cost-effective way possible. But more fundamentally, they need to ensure they are paying the most competitive tariff available.

“Monitoring energy use and reducing waste is meaningless if an organization is paying more than they need to for their business electricity in the first place.”

The UK draft energy bill, unveiled last week, also included plans to raise £110 million in investment to replace current generating capacity and upgrade the grid by 2020.

The Energy Advice Line helps small firms through to large non-domestic energy consumers to search the market for the best available business electricity and business gas deals.

The service saves firms the time and trouble of trawling through thousands of business electricity and gas tariffs by analyzing prices from its panel of energy suppliers and matching them with the requirements of the organization.

Significantly, tariffs are compared on a like-for-like basis without the use of product names or payment plans, which means that quotes are easy to understand and accurate.

The Energy Advice Line’s expert team can also offer advice on how to switch suppliers, as well as a renewal reminder service to ensure you do not get caught in an expensive business energy rollover contract.

For more information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

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Business electricity users can cut bills by 20%, says British Gas

21 June 2012

The Energy Advice Line has cautiously welcomed a new campaign aimed at helping business electricity users to cut their energy costs by 20% each year, but has warned suppliers they need to do more to help small firms.

The campaign, launched on Monday June 11 by British Gas, will enable business energy users to access a real-time internet service that shows exactly how much energy they use at various times of the day.

The Business Energy Insight internet service aims to show the benefits of using smart meters; as well as showing hourly, daily, weekly and monthly electricity usage, the service will offer firms advice on how to use electricity more efficiently to cut bills.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, the UK’s leading price comparison and switching service for business electricity and gas users, said the initiative was welcome but warned firms it was not a silver bullet.

“Any move by a Big Six supplier to help firms save money on their energy bills is obviously a step forward, as businesses are really struggling with mounting energy costs,” Mr Morgan said.

“But energy suppliers can do more. The introduction of smart meters is likely to save them money and we would like a guarantee that they will pass these savings on to their business energy customers.

“Encouraging business electricity users to use energy more efficiently and cost-effectively is all well and good, but firms are still paying more than they need to.

“If suppliers are really interested in savings businesses money there are also further things they can do to help. They could end the practice of cold-calling businesses and putting undue pressure on them to agree to expensive contracts, and they could also abandon expensive automatic rollover tariffs.”

Mr Morgan said that switching suppliers at the end of a fixed-term contract remained the easiest way for firms to reduce their energy bills.

“The easiest and most cost-effective way for business energy users to reduce their overheads is to change supplier – but under the current system there are many obstacles placed in the way of them doing this. Hopefully smart metering will form part of the solution.”

Smart meters allow customers to monitor their energy use through real-time energy readings, which remove the need for estimated bills. All domestic consumers and small business energy customers will have smart meters installed by 2019, while large business will have ‘advanced’ smart meters installed by April 2014.

The Energy Advice Line has previously called for the regulatory body to oversee the introduction of smart meters to ensure that business gas and business electricity customers benefit from any savings that suppliers make.

The Energy Advice Line is the only independent electricity price comparison and switching service in the UK designed exclusively for businesses. Firms can view the five most competitive energy offers from the UK’s leading suppliers online, compare prices against their renewal quotation and switch at the click of a button.

The Energy Advice Line’s expert team can also offer advice on how to switch suppliers, as well as a renewal reminder service to ensure you do not get caught in an expensive business energy rollover contract.

For more information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

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The Energy Advice Line backs calls by CBI on green energy projects

31 May 2012

The Energy Advice Line has backed calls by the UK’s leading business group for the government to make investment in green energy projects less financially risky.

The CBI has called for the credit rating on low-carbon infrastructure projects such as wind farms and nuclear power plants to be lifted to make it easier for institutions to make the £250 billion investment required in the UK’s “creaking” energy system.

“We welcome the CBI’s call for the credit rating of low-carbon energy projects to be lifted as this would make this kind of investment a real option for institutional investors, “ Mr Morgan said.

“Any initiative that opens up the UK’s energy sector to greater competition is welcome as this is the only way that business electricity users will see lower energy tariffs and a better deal from suppliers.

“At the moment competition is not working and business electricity users are struggling with rising electricity tariffs, poor treatment from many business electricity suppliers and uncertainty about the future reliability of supply.

“Improving the credit rating of low carbon infrastructure projects could well be one way of increasing competition and delivering businesses a better deal in the long run.”

The CBI has made its call in response to the release last week of the government’s draft energy bill, which aims to encourage investment in nuclear power plants, wind farms and the transmission system. The government claims the reforms will lead to lower business electricity tariffs and secure future business electricity supplies.

According to Jim Bligh, CBI head of Labour Market & Pensions Policy, attracting investment in low carbon projects should be viewed as a priority. Lifting the credit rating of risky projects, which are currently rated as BBB by the credit rating agencies, could do this.

“Government must do all it can to attract private sector investment in this vital area starting by boosting the credit ratings of particularly risky projects through credit enhancement mechanisms, and making the investments themselves less risky and more attractive to pension funds,” he said.

The government claims the reforms will reduce the impact of rising business electricity bills for consumers, but the Energy Advice Line has called for further details as it remained unclear whether the plans will improve competition in the energy sector.

The draft bill will introduce long-term contracts that pay a steady rate of return for energy over the lifetime of new low-carbon generators, to overcome the high capital cost of building nuclear power plants or offshore wind.

The government hopes the reforms will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit the exposure of consumers to volatile gas process and lower the risk of blackouts as ageing power stations go offline.

The Energy Advice Line is a consumer champion and the UK’s only independent business electricity price comparison and switching services exclusively for small and medium-sized businesses. The service enables firms to quickly and simply compare business energy and business gas prices, and to switch to the best available deal on the market.

For further information or a free quotation, visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

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Energy among the top of concerns of small and medium-sized firms

16 May 2012

The cost of energy and the reliability of supply are among the most critical issues facing small and medium-sized firms, according to a new survey by the Forum of Private Business (FPB)

A total of 80% of business energy users reported that fuel costs were “very important” or “important” issues, while 75% cited reliability of energy supply as a key cause for concern.

Telecommunications and broadband access were also of critical importance, according to 80% of respondents, particularly in rural locations.

Other small business infrastructure priorities include post office services (60%), mobile communications (59%), the motorway network (56%), the provision of skills training (46%), waste services and recycling (41%), e-communications (32%) and rail transport (23%).

The findings are part of the Forum’s Referendum survey Infrastructure for Growth, which examines SMEs’ views on various forms of infrastructure and the way these systems affect their organizations.

On the back of the report, the Forum has made a series of recommendations to government to improve infrastructures, including the introduction of a fuel price stabilizer to ensure that when oil prices go up the tax take as a percentage of fuel costs falls.

Commenting on the report, Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, the UK’s leading business electricity and gas price comparison and switching service, said it was not surprising energy ranked so highly on the list of issues that concern SMEs.

“Energy is now one of the most significant overheads of many businesses and as energy prices continue to rise business energy users face the dilemma of how to cover these increased costs,” Mr Morgan said.

“With their margins already under considerable pressure due to the recession, paying ever larger utility bills is a constant worry. And of course many SMEs realize that without an energy supply, they don’t have a business. Reliability of business electricity and gas supplies is a fundamental concern.”

Mr Morgan said the Energy Advice Line had been able to ease the concerns of thousands of business energy customers with its quick and simple way to find the cheapest energy deals, as well as free advice from experts.

“Businesses that are worried about their energy costs should not defer the task of making sure they are on the best energy deal available. We can help them do this,” Mr Morgan said.

“Comparing tariffs and making sure you compare like-for-like can be a time-consuming task, but we can do the legwork for you and leave you free to get on with running your business.”

The Energy Advice Line is a consumer champion and the UK’s only independent price comparison and switching services exclusively for small and medium-sized business electricity and gas users. It is campaigning for Ofgem to ban cold calling, the practice under which rogue energy agents acting on behalf of energy suppliers make high-pressure unsolicited phone calls to sell expensive energy contracts.

Particular targets include businesses that have just moved into new premises; this is a significant problem for SMEs, 30% of which move once a year.

The Energy Advice Line’s free quotation service enables firms to quickly and simply compare business energy and business gas prices, and to switch to the best available deal on the market.  It also has a team of business energy experts who provide free advice on what businesses need to do to avoid being trapped in expensive and onerous rollover contracts.

For further information or a free quotation, visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

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Business electricity bills set to rise

15 May 2012

Business electricity consumers should brace themselves for higher energy prices and lock into fixed-price tariffs as soon as possible, according to the Energy Advice Line.

The advice follows last week’s announcement by Centrica, parent company of the UK’s biggest energy firm British Gas, that consumers faced an average increase of £50 a year due to higher wholesale prices and increased costs.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, the UK’s leading business electricity price comparison and switching service, said it was inevitable business electricity and gas consumers would also face the burden of higher bills.

He said a 15% year-on-year jump in wholesale gas prices for next winter compared to last would almost certainly flow through to non-domestic consumers at some stage.

“Business electricity or gas users who are coming to the end of their fixed-term contracts should ensure they search the market, switch suppliers and lock in the best available deals before prices start to rise again,” Mr Morgan said.

“It’s not what businesses want to hear, but energy is now such a significant cost to most firms that they have no option but to treat utility companies in exactly the same way as other suppliers.

“You wouldn’t accept the first quote you received for an expensive piece of plant or equipment, you would make every effort to find the most cost-effective option. The same principal applies to energy contracts.”

Another of the so-called Big Six supplies E.On announced yesterday that it would not be raising gas and electricity prices this year, but the promise leaves room for the company to raise tariffs early in 2013.

Centrica has not yet disclosed details about when and how much it would increase the cost of its domestic gas and electricity supplies.

“In such an uncertain energy market and with energy prices so volatile, firms that are coming to the end of their fixed-term business energy contracts should lock themselves into a good deal now,” Mr Morgan said.

“Not only will this save them money but they can be confident that they know what their energy overheads are going to be in the short to medium term.”

Mr Morgan warned firms whose fixed-term contracts were about to end to be wary of cold callers trying to sell them energy contracts that were significantly more expensive than those available on the open market.

The Energy Advice Line is campaigning for energy regulator Ofgem to ban the practice of cold calling following complaints that some customers are called up to 30 times a day by rogue energy agents using high-pressure selling techniques.

There are also questions over how the callers obtain information about when firms’ electricity and gas contracts are coming to an end.

Cold callers often misrepresented themselves, claiming to be offering competitive deals when the reverse was in fact true, “ Mr Morgan said.

“Use a reputable and independent price comparison and switching service that compares the prices of a wide range of suppliers, both large and small,” Mr Morgan said.

The Energy Advice Line is the UK’s only impartial business electricity price comparison and switching service exclusively for business. It has campaigned for utility companies to change their business energy contracts and billing arrangements to make it easier for firms to switch suppliers to get the best business electricity rates and gas deals.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

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