Gillian Guy

Gas and electricity customers receive automatic compensation of £30 starting in may, when your change goes to a new provider wrong, Ofgem has said.

The regulator said the new rules should give "peace of mind" shopping around. More Than six million people switched energy companies last year.

payments are not made when the switch is completed within 15 Working Days .

to qualify, An incorrect switch or an error made by the old supplier for a final bill within Six Weeks .

Mary Starks, of Ofgem, said: "We are introducing these new standards in order to customers for more relaxation and challenge suppliers to get it right the First Time . "

The Move was described as a "welcome intervention" by David Pilling, from the energy Ombudsman - an independent arbitrator of disputes between customers and providers.

"the exchange is now second only to payroll as the source of complaints that we handle, so it is clear that for many people, The Process of changing provider is not going as smoothly as it should," he said.

Since Ofgem introduced the minimum standards in the last year, More Than £700,000 was paid to the customer by the supplier.

of these payments, 27% have been changes for the wrong, while 73% were refunds for late credit back. This system is now to be extended by compensation payments automatically.

"households can save hundreds of pounds by switching, and should not be put to the trouble and stress, in order to be entitled to the compensation, if the energy supplier, make the mistakes," said Dame Gillian Guy , chief of the citizens-advice.

Source of news: bbc.com