Figures by Electralink have revealed that there are huge differences across Scotland in the rates households switch their energy supplier. The figures, released by Citizens Advice Scotland on 21 January, mark the beginning of Big Energy Saving Week – a campaign to help people cut their energy bills and get all the financial support they are entitled to.
The data reveal that more than one in five households (22.4%) in East Renfrewshire switched supplier in 2018. Other high rate switching areas are Midlothian (21.3%), Fife (21.1% ), East Dunbartonshire ( 21.1% ) and Clackmannanshire (20.9%). Regions where households are least likely to switch are Shetland Islands (9.9%), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (14%), Highland (14.7%), Argyll & Bute (14.8%) and Orkney Islands (14.9%).
Historically, switching rates have been lower in rural and island areas, as households had restricted meters and electric heating had a limited choice of tariffs. More tariffs should be available to these households now, however. This could help homeowners save on their energy bills, with additional analysis showing that you can save more than £150 by switching your supplier or energy tariff.
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