Derbyshire council and Which? launch cheaper energy bills scheme
AN energy-switching scheme to save people money on their bills has been launched in Derbyshire after months of talks.
The county council, which has been urging people to register with Derbyshire Big Deals, has now announced it is working with consumer watchdog Which? to negotiate with energy companies to strike the best deal for residents.
Big Deals is a bulk-buying scheme which works by bringing people together to get the best price on their gas and electricity bills.
The Tory-led authority set up the scheme after learning that 60% of people have never switched their energy company, even though they could save an average of £217 a year if they did.
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Each household registering with the scheme will also be entered into a free prize draw for a chance to win free gas and electricity for a whole year, with three prizes up to a maximum value of £1,500 up for grabs.
County council leader Andrew Lewer said: "We all know we should shop around but sometimes it seems too complicated to switch your gas and electricity company.
"We are really pleased to be working with Which? – a trusted consumer brand – to help local people come together to save money, as well as making it easy to switch."
Richard Lloyd, executive director at Which?, said: "We are proud to be teaming up with Derbyshire County Council to help people save on their energy bills.
"Rising energy prices are one of consumers' top financial worries but, by taking part in Derbyshire Big Deals, people could help reduce their household budgets."
All residents need to do is find their recent energy bill and either fill in a few simple questions online at www. derbyshire.gov.uk/bigdeals or call the county council's Big Deals line on 01629 533365.
Alternatively they can pop into a county council library, where staff can help fill in the form for them.
Households need to regist-er before 6pm on March 20. About 6,000 people have already pre-registered for the scheme and the council will be contacting them to explain what they need to do next.
There is no obligation for households to switch but, if they decide to do so, their new energy company will cancel the contract with their existing supplier for them.
Comments
by sarahb2
Monday, February 18 2013, 5:39PM
“Collective switching is everywhere at the moment! I saw an earlier scheme launch a few weeks ago called cheaperenergytogether.org - also based in Derbyshire. I know the earlier one is run by a partnership of local charities which are making no profits and charging minial referral fees- so what's different about this one?? Does anyone know if we can sign up to both?”