Shop around to cut fuel bills

Residents are being encouraged to shop around to cut their fuel bills.

A national Ofgem survey last year indicated that 75% of people had not switched energy supplier in the last 12 months.

Locally this means that potentially around 90,000 of Brighton & Hove’s households could be paying more for their energy than they need to.

At a meeting of the council’s Housing and New Homes Committee this week (14 March), councillors agreed to highlight the benefits of switching energy suppliers and comparing gas and electricity prices.

They are also making people aware that one option to consider is Your Energy Sussex – a partnership of Sussex local authorities including the city council - which has set up an energy tariff scheme for residents across the county.

Councillor Anne Meadows, chair of the Housing and New Homes Committee, said: “Many people struggle to meet the costs of keeping their home warm and comparing tariffs offered by different energy suppliers can help people to get a better deal and reduce their energy bills."

The Your Energy Sussex tariff offers a range of competitive electricity and gas tariffs to residents, with an emphasis on providing good customer service and fair, straightforward advice for consumers. Any surplus income, after costs, will go into a fuel poverty fund to support residents struggling to pay fuel bills. 

Further information:

Housing and New Homes Committee report (agenda item 81) 

Your Energy Sussex  The Your Energy Sussex Partnership is led by West Sussex County Council. The partnership has linked with Robin Hood Energy, a not-for-profit company set up by Nottingham City Council, which will provide the energy supply, customer services and billing for the tariff scheme.