Failing to switch energy supplier may have cost 65,000 households in Dorset more than £1,500 each over the past six years, new figures reveal.

Figures from Ofgem have revealed that nine million households across the UK – more than a third of all households – failed to change gas or electricity provider between 2012 and 2017, with only 17 per cent of people in the south switching in the last year alone and missing out savings of hundreds of pounds a year.

While a YouGov survey carried out for Big Energy Saving Week reveals 37 per cent of people across England will visit multiple supermarkets to ensure we get the best deal on our weekly shop, millions of households remain on the more expensive Standard Variable Tariff (SVT), despite better deals being available.

Big Energy Saving Week - which runs from Monday, January 22 until Sunday, January 28 - is a nationwide campaign from the Energy Saving Trust, Citizens Advice and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) which helps households lower their annual spend on energy.

Philip Sellwood, chief executive, Energy Saving Trust, said: “The difference between the average Standard Variable Tariff and the cheapest deal on the market is significant, but millions of households still aren’t accessing these savings. To put that into context, switching this year could save you up to £300 – equivalent to more than a month’s worth of food shopping.

“In other words, if you haven’t switched for six years, you’ve missed out on more than six months’ of food shopping.

“With January being a tight month for household budgets, now is the time to look at switching your energy tariff to make sure you’re on the best possible deal.”

Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark added: “We’re helping people take control of their fuel bills to reduce how much they pay for their gas and electricity.

“Big Energy Saving Week highlights how much money people can save simply by changing their energy supplier and taking action such as installing a smart meter.”

As part of the Big Energy Saving Week campaign, Citizens Advice will host events across the country with its volunteers and staff offering face-to-face advice to people with concerns about their energy bills, helping share information about switching and about how the Energy Switch Guarantee makes the process simple and easy.

Citizens Advice also have an online price-comparison tool to help bill payers find a cheaper supplier.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Checking your energy tariff and switching to a cheaper deal is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cut your bills.

“We know people who stay with the same energy supplier often pay hundreds of pounds more a year for the same gas and electricity. It is too often the most vulnerable and those with the lowest incomes who pay the highest prices for their energy.

“Citizens Advice is hosting local events across the country to help people compare prices and make the switch during Big Energy Saving Week.”

For free advice on switching energy supplier, or to find out what events are happening in your area, call Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06 or visit citizensadvice.org.uk