Millions query size of energy bills

COMPLAINTS about inaccurate gas and electricity bills are soaring, an industry watchdog has revealed.

One in three energy and gas customers are contacting their supplier every quarter to query inaccurate bills, equating to a massive 60 million queries a year.

Industry watchdog Energywatch warned billing was a ?hit and miss affair‘ and told utility suppliers to tighten up their act.

Chief executive Allan Asher said: ?The instinctive reaction of the supply companies has been to sit on their hands and pretend there is nothing to worry about. If supermarkets displayed this level of incompetence there would be a riot.‘

The watchdog claimed poorly estimated bills are pushing increasing numbers of consumers into debt. An average of 39% of all bills sent out are estimated.

Late delivery of bills is also commonplace, with some customers not receiving a bill for several months and then being hit with a request for hundreds of pounds.

Asher said: ?Energywatch has been pressing the suppliers for some time to reform their billing. Their response has been to insist they know what‘s best for their customers.‘

Industry body The Energy Retail Association questioned the results. Head of communications and policy Russell Hamblin-Boone said: ?We don‘t think the numbers are an accurate representation of the true number of bill complaints.

?When customers call suppliers they are usually calling about another matter, such as change of address, but billing invariably gets bought up into the conversation.‘

However, he did admit the industry had to improve its presentation and processing of bills. The body is holding a meeting with suppliers and Energywatch on Thursday to discuss the issue.