Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website plans to release the results of a huge survey after energy companies were accused of taking more money than they need from customers. It comes as energy regulator Ofgem revealed it had issued 'Compliance Reviews' to several energy firms.
With huge price hikes hitting customers and some energy firms boasting massive profits, energy suppliers are coming under increasing scrutiny from the public and the press. The massive rise in gas and energy bills means that customers are facing paying an extra £700 a year for their fuel.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng announced today that Ofgem suspects that some energy companies have been charging customers more than they needed to through their direct debits. He took to Twitter to explain the situation.
READ MORE: Sky Mobile customers will have to pay £2 a day in new roaming charges
The MP said: "Some energy suppliers have been increasing Direct Debits beyond what is required. I can confirm @Ofgem has today issued Compliance Reviews.
"Suppliers have three weeks to respond. The regulator will not hesitate to swiftly enforce compliance, including issuing substantial fines."
Ofgem is the country's independent energy regulator and works to protect customers and make sure the market is operating correctly and fairly. If companies act unfairly or break the law, Ofgem can fine the firms.
Martin Lewis said his website, Money Saving Expert, was already aware that many customers may have been charged more than needed via their direct debits and had conducted an online survey to find out the extent of the issue. The survey garnered more than 20,000 responses and Money Saving Expert plans to release the results soon.
Retweeting Mr Kwarteng's comments, Mr Lewis said: "Pleased the evidence I gave to the parliamentary Biz Committee on this about a month ago has finally picked up. This is very important. MSE has data on over 20,000 survey responses to our unfair direct debit survey, we're analysing and will publish results soon."
