Energy companies `overcharging customers`

30 June 2009

Independent consumer watchdog Consumer Focus has claimed that customers are being overcharged by an average of £74 a year on their energy bills.

The watchdog claimed that energy companies have not been passing on the full declines in wholesale costs.

However, the Energy Retail Association said that other costs have been rising, adding that there is no evidence that suppliers were raising prices faster than they reduced them.

A debt expert for Think Money said: "Whatever the reasons - and despite price cuts earlier in the year - energy prices are still significantly higher than they were a couple of years ago. Keeping up has been hard for many people, particularly those already struggling with debt.

"Rising energy prices, along with other costs of living, highlight the need for people to manage their finances well and avoid getting into debt where possible. Anyone who finds themselves in trouble with debt should speak to a debt adviser at the first sign of problems."

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Tags: energy, companies, overcharging, overcharged

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