Big Six energy customers are paying almost identical amounts on fixed tariffs as they are on expensive SVT deals
Figures put together by challenger energy firm Octopus Energy reveals customers are paying almost identical amounts if they switch from rip-off SVT deals to the most expensive fixed-term tariffs
HARD-UP Brits are being charged almost exactly the same amount for their energy bills - AFTER they've switched from expensive standard variable tariffs.
Last year, the Government announced plans to cap the bills of millions of households stuck on rip-off Standard Variable Tariffs (SVTs) and default tariffs until at least 2020.
The proposed cap prompted some of the firms to begin to scrap their SVT deals and start to move customers onto cheaper fixed-deals instead.
But customers are being charged almost exactly the same as they would be for a fixed-deal compared to if they stayed on an SVT.
Research done by smaller energy firm Octopus Energy found that British Gas' most expensive fixed term deal is identical to its SVT price - £1,099.84.
E.On charged £1,093.35 for its SVT and most expensive fix deal, while the difference in cost for Scottish Power was just £8.49.
The difference in cost for Npower was £37, SSE £54,73 and EDF £82.88.
Greg Jackson, chief executive of Octopus, said: "Time and time again we see the big six ducking and diving to find new ways of covertly ripping off their loyal customers."
A spokesman for British Gas told The Sun Online that the gap between its cheapest tariff and its SVT was £200, while a spokesman for Scottish Power said it offered cheaper tariffs for customers.
A spokesman for E.On said: "We are continuing to work through the detail of bringing standard variable tariffs to an end but as we said at the time of our announcement, our new model of offering customers a one-year tariff as the default option would be cheaper than their current standard variable product.
"When we actively begin to move customers on to this new tariff we will communicate clearly with them to ensure they choose the best deal for them."
A spokeswoman for Npower said: "The value of a fixed tariff is both in its price and in the fact that the price is fixed for a period of years.
"It is also worth noting that our cheapest generally available tariff is now £92 less than our SVT product."
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Back in October, the Government announced plans to cap the bills of millions of households stuck on expensive Standard Variable Tariffs (SVTs) and other default tariffs until at least 2020.
Around 18million Brits are stuck on SVT deals according to the Government, which can cost up to a whopping £300 a year more than the cheapest deals on the market.
Experts expect that it won't be before 2019 households will see their bills come down due to the length of time it will take for the bill to become law, so Brits should switch now to save cash on their bills.
Octopus looked at tariffs offered in London on February 18.
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