Council-backed energy supplier goes from strength to strength

A council-supported energy supplier has already helped more than 1,000 households to switch to a cheaper energy tariff and save money in just four months since launch.

Councils in Sussex launched Your Energy Sussex in February 2018 to encourage more people in the county to become regular energy switchers.

Figures from Ofgem show that only 25% of households compared their energy costs and switched supplier in the past year - and households could save as much as £300 per year on average by switching.

Your Energy Sussex, which is led by West Sussex County Council and supported by East Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and district and boroughs from across the county, offers consistently-competitive prices for gas and electricity, excellent customer service and works hard to keep customers on its best available energy tariff.

It is run on a not-for-profit basis and uses any surplus it generates to support residents who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Councillor Anne Meadows, Chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Housing & New Homes Committee, said: “Many people struggle to meet the costs of keeping their home warm and comparing tariffs offered by different energy suppliers can help people to get a better deal and reduce their energy bills. It’s great to see Your Energy Sussex is helping residents to switch."

Councillor Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The recent energy price rises announced by the ‘big six’ suppliers have shown how important it is to keep an eye on what you’re paying for your gas and electricity and switch if a better tariff is available.

“With Your Energy Sussex we’ve made a really good start in encouraging people across the county to become regular switchers and save money. We will continue to work hard with our partner authorities to increase our customer base in the coming months and, over time, fund initiatives to help our residents facing fuel poverty.”

Councillor Nick Bennett, East Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport & Environment, said: “Your Energy Sussex encourages people to shop around for lower gas and electricity tariffs, which helps to cut households bills. We are really pleased that many people have already been encouraged to do this and to save money. The recent energy price rises announced by the ‘big six’ suppliers makes it even more important to shop around, and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners across Sussex to encourage more people to switch and save.”

Your Energy Sussex is a partnership between Sussex councils and Robin Hood Energy, the licensed energy company owned and operated by Nottingham City Council. To find out more, visit www.yourenergysussex.org.uk.