WITH power companies in the news this week for making FAT profits while the country shivered, it may not surprise anyone to learn that one in five people across Merseyside is living in fuel poverty. 

Whether that's you or not, here's your chance to have a laugh too. 

The Liverpool City Region (LCR) Collective Switch is giving householders from across the region the chance to join together to get a better deal on their gas and electricity supply, and save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills each year. 

That's the aim of the scheme organised by Wirral-based charity Energy Projects Plus, together with the five local authorities. 

Deal

Collective switching is when a group of people get together and use their collective purchasing power to negotiate a better deal from energy suppliers. The more people who are involved in a switch, the bigger the purchasing power and the better the offers they receive, is the idea.

Some people have been reluctant to switch suppliers because they're not sure how to, or they don't have time to compare the complicated tariffs. Collective switching makes it safe and easy to switch and ensures that householders all get a better deal and stay warm.

Confusion

Anyone can join the LCR Collective Switch for free. Those who have never switched their energy supplier or who haven’t switched in the last 12 months are likely to benefit most. Working together makes it safe and easy to switch supplier and householders could typically save £189 per year. Householders will be able to see how much they would save before they decide if they want to switch suppliers. 

The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “People in our region are concerned by rising fuel prices but many aren’t on their energy supplier’s best tariff. The LCR Collective Switch scheme aims to cut through the confusion and make it easy for people to switch their tariff and get a better deal on their energy bills. We hope that everyone will join in and see how much they could save by collectively switching.”

The scheme will be launched on 15 April when householders will be able to register online or by phone. You can find out more and express your interest in joining the switch here  or by calling 0800 043 0151.