Billpayers drop switches

MILLIONS of Britons caught the switching bug as comparison sites urged households to change their energy, insurance, mobile and broadband suppliers regularly to get the best possible deals, but it seems we may now be losing interest.

- By Harvey Jones

More than 12 million have not switched any key services in the last three years, new research shows.

Large numbers are sceptical of the benefits, claiming suppliers "essentially the same", and that is not the only reason we are staying put, Utility Warehouse has found.

Many reckon switching is too complicated, stressful and takes too long, while others fear getting stung by early exit fees. Companies are also overly reliant on net-based switching and many would-be switchers would rather talk to someone than go online.