Small firms urged to evaluate energy bills

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is encouraging small firms to consider switching to an alternative gas and electric supplier in response to last week’s increase in energy prices.

By shopping around for their utility provider businesses could make valuable savings on their energy bills, the FPB suggests. It is estimated that small enterprises are collectively paying millions more for their gas and electric than they need to.

Utility Options’ managing director Colin Beake said this overpayment occurs ‘because electricity and gas supply is always on tap, and so most [people] make the excuse that they are too busy to get to grips with the problem and push the action needed to the bottom of the pile.’

A survey carried out by energywatch last year revealed that small firms are unimpressed with the service they receive from the UK’s main electricity providers.

Infrequent meter reading, inaccurate billing, a lack of information, slow responses to complaints, pressure from suppliers and staff inexperience were among the frustrations listed by smaller firms.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Alistair Darling asked to meet with the energy regulator, Ofgem, earlier this week to discuss NPower’s hike in gas and electricity prices.