Andrew Capstick

Energy regulator Ofgem has ordered big six provider Npower to co-operate with its upcoming collective switch trial, aimed at helping thousands of the supplier's customers to find a better deal. 

Energy supplier Outfox the Market has announced it is increasing the price of its variable tariff by 7.4% – meaning a typical household can no longer get an energy deal for less than £900/year.

Three water companies have been told by the Consumer Council for Water to improve customer service following a high number of complaints.  The industry watchdog has highlighted Bristol Water, Southern Water and Surrey-based SES Water as the worst performers in its latest annual report into household complaints to water firms. These companies – covering a combined 3.5 million households – will be required to report back to the watchdog to outline what steps they have taken to improve service. In total, households in England and Wales made more than 2.1 million calls to water firms to resolve problems between April 2017 and March 2018 – down 17% on the previous year. Yet nine out of 21 water companies saw an increase in the number of calls. The watchdog also highlighted a sharp rise in calls on household water suppliers, following the 'Beast from the East' as more than 200,000 people were left without running water earlier this year. Though you can't switch your water to cut costs, there are other ways to save – see Cut Your Water Bills for more.

Economy Energy is hitting thousands of customers with an astonishing £300+/year rise – but many will be able to escape it by switching away, or in some cases an admin blunder means they'll beat the hike.  The fact the price is rising is not a surprise, as most energy firms are increasing costs. What is shocking is the scale of the rise, which is as big as we can remember in recent years. While on average it will lead to a rise of £311/yr on typical use – 38% – some are set to be hit with an increase of up to £460/yr. The hike hits on Sunday 7 October. As it's a variable tariff you can at least switch penalty-free, but we have learned scores of bill-payers were wrongly told it was actually a fixed deal whereby the price per unit of energy was fixed for a year. This admin blunder was made in a 'welcome' email sent by Economy Energy. After MoneySavingExpert.com got involved, Economy Energy told us by phone it would not levy the hike on anyone who could prove they got this email (see it below, with the important lines highlighted). But since, when we've asked for confirmation in writing all throughout this week, it's gone quiet, which we find outrageous. However, some MoneySavers who got this email have told us they've successfully challenged the rise.

The energy price cap has been unveiled which could cut bills for 11 million households by about £75 on average – but Martin Lewis says a fair tariff isn't the same as a good one and many could save £100s by switching and saving NOW.  

Thousands of disengaged energy customers saved an average of about £300/year in regulator Ofgem's first collective switch trial.

Northern Ireland's largest energy supplier Power NI is to hike electricity prices by 13.8%, meaning the typical bill for those on its standard tariff will jump by £69/year.

Green energy supplier Bulb has warned its 450,000 customers that it may be forced to increase prices for the third time this year, as a result of rising wholesale costs.

Customers of gas and electricity provider Iresa, which ceased trading last week, are to be taken on by Octopus Energy.

Beleaguered energy supplier Iresa, which has tens of thousands of customers, has ceased trading. Customers' energy supplies will continue as normal under regulator Ofgem's safety-net rules, and outstanding credit balances will be protected - here's what you need to know.

The Competition and Markets Authority has said heat networks must be regulated following a seven month study into whether customers are getting the right level of protection.

The cost of the cheapest energy deals on the market have soared this year, up nearly £50 since January, MoneySavingExpert research reveals.

M&S Energy has announced a new agreement with Octopus Energy to continue supplying gas and electricity from September under the M&S brand.

The boss of Toto Energy has apologised for its recent customer service issues - blaming an office move for the difficulties.

Renewable energy firm Tonik Energy is increasing its standard variable prices by 10.8% in August, adding £106/year to the typical dual-fuel household's bill.

SSE and M&S Energy are ending their supply partnership in September – meaning all M&S Energy customers will officially move across to the big six supplier.