Whereas countless might possibly argue that the modifications are well overdue, the regulator hopes the new rules will give customers the time necessary to determine whether they wish to remain with their existing supplier or not less than price range for any value hikes.Gas and electricity suppliers must give consumers a minimum of 30 days advance notice of value rises or any adjustments in their contract which leave them considerably worse off, mentioned power watchdog Ofgem.
The new guidelines, which come into force at present, replace previous rules that permitted power suppliers as much as 3 months in which to notify customers soon after placing up their charges.

“Ofgem is determined to make sure that supply providers play it straight with customers. Giving clients advance warning of value rises is a single way of ensuring a fairer deal for them,” said Ofgem’s Senior Partner for Markets Andrew Wright.

Ofgem also told energy suppliers that they have to follow simpler tariffs to help consumers compare rates after a great number of customers complained of becoming overwhelmed by hundreds of complicated tariffs.

In recent months all of the ‘big six’ energy providers have brought in price hikes caused by the rise in gas and oil wholesale markets.