Switch Energy Supplier If They Put Up Bills, Says Michael Fallon

Consumers should ditch energy firms that put up bills and switch to a cheaper rival, Tory energy minister Michael Fallon said.

Fallon's call for consumer action comes after SSE, Britain's second largest energy firm, said its bills would increase by an average of £111 a year as tariffs rise 8.2% for its 7.3 million customers.

Fallon said: "I would encourage all customers to look again at their tariffs and see if they can switch to a cheaper tariff. It is important that consumers have the power and information to be able to switch accounts."

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The energy firm's price rise comes into effect on November 15, with other suppliers like British Gas, E.on, Npower and Scottish Power set to unveil large increases as well.

SSE was the first of the 'big six' energy suppliers to unveil a price increase after Labour leader Ed Miliband promised last month to freeze energy bills until 2017 if Labour returned to government in 2017.

Miliband said: "This latest scandal shows why the Government needs to act. The companies are trying to blame everyone else, the Government is trying to blame everyone else. They’re responsible, they’re not getting a grip."

David Cameron dismissed the Labour leader's freeze promise as a "con", adding: "He is not in control of the worldwide price of gas and so he can’t guarantee keeping that promise."

"We’ve got to address the causes of prices rather than just come up with what is effectively a con."