The latest electricity switching figures from Energy UK confirm a slump in April – the first full month of the coronavirus lockdown – with just under half a million customers changing supplier.
The 29 per cent year-on-year fall brings the total number of switches to just over two million so far this year – 2 per cent lower than the same period in 2019.
Last week, ElectraLink published data showing a 19 per cent decrease in switching on March and 28 per cent compared to April 2019’s record of 670,000.
The figures released by Energy UK show a net gain for small and mid-tier suppliers of 20 per cent (93,923) compared to 38 per cent in the same month last year (251,964). However, in the intervening year Ovo has moved into the large supplier category, following its acquisition of SSE’s retail arm.
According to the Energy UK data – supplied by Gemserv – of all switches last month:
- 35 per cent were from larger to small and mid-tier suppliers
- 15 per cent were from small and mid-tier to larger suppliers
- 28 per cent were between larger suppliers
- 22 per cent were between small and mid-tier suppliers
Audrey Gallacher, Energy UK’s interim chief executive, said: “It is certainly not surprising to see that switching energy supplier is not a top priority for most people while they are getting to grips with lockdown life.
“However, as many of us might be looking at ways to save on our energy bills, as well as checking you are on the right deal for you, it is also important to consider energy efficiency measures, especially if you are working from home and might have extra time on your hands.”