WIREDGOV

As Government announces plans to introduce QR Codes on energy bills to help encourage switching, Citizens Advice highlights how a personal shopping service using accurate customer data could help households keep costs down.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“With rising energy prices outstripping increases in earnings, it’s vital that people don't pay over the odds to heat their homes or keep the lights on. Making it easier to find and switch to a better deal is key to keeping costs down. New ways to make switching happen are good for consumers and all customers need to be able to benefit including those on pre-payment meters.

“Data is fundamental to making sure people get the best deal on their energy. Directly sharing information about energy use with switching services could help people get the cheapest tariff for them based on accurate information. It would also pave the way for more inventive ways to help consumers get a good deal.

“Citizens Advice would like to see a personal shopping service which finds customers the best deal for them based on how much gas and electricity they use. Customers could ask switching sites to regularly review tariffs and move them when an even better deal comes up.”

Citizens Advice

Notes to editors

1. This year the Citizens Advice service celebrates its 75th anniversary. We’ve planned a year of activity running from January to December 2014.  Contact the press office to find out more.
2. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
3. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
4. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at www.adviceguide.org.uk
5. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 or 08454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
6. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.6 million problems from April 2012 to March 2013. For full 2012/2013 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
7. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 22,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.