Three quarters would switch to a smaller supplier

Almost three quarters of domestic energy customers would switch to a smaller energy supplier, according to research by Uswitch.com.

The survey revealed that 72 per cent of customers would be happy to move to a supplier outside of the major six suppliers, up from 56 per cent last year, and 52 per cent in 2012.

Almost eight in ten (78 per cent) of customers would consider switching away from a ‘big six’ supplier to get a cheaper deal, while 22 per cent said they would move for better customer service.

The number of consumers who said they would stick with their current supplier because they were happy with them fell from 22 per cent last year, to 19 per cent.

Despite this vote of confidence in the smaller supplier, 31 per cent of respondents said they would be worried that smaller suppliers could go out of business.

The survey also revealed that 23 per cent were worried they would lose their energy supply if something went wrong, while the same number said they would not switch to a supplier they had never heard of.

Some consumers said they would not switch because they did not think they would get a better deal from a smaller supplier (17 per cent), and because respondents did not think smaller suppliers offered as good incentives as the major suppliers (12 per cent).

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at Uswitch.com, said: “The tide has finally turned in this David vs Goliath and the big six’s days of market dominance could be numbered.

“This is great news for competition and even better news for consumers, who are opening their eyes to the lower prices, better value and often superior service.”