The government’s latest data shows switching levels during the past two years has “failed to reduce the number of people on standard tariffs”, according to Which?

Energy switching in the past two years has failed to reduce the number of people on standard tariffs, Which? claims.

Citing government figures the consumer body added around 21 million people were stuck on a standard  ​electricity ​tariff – which costs around £54 (or 9%) more than average since the beginning of last year.

It also said standard gas tariffs stalled at 73%  – around 16 million customers – at the beginning of 2014 and have remained at that level. A standard gas tariff costs an estimated £75 (or 10%) more than other deals, Which? claims.

It added in 2014 the government figures also show 11% of people switched their electricity supplier and 10% switched their gas supplier but neither of these figures have “significantly impacted ​on the number of people on standard tariffs”.

As the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) energy investigation reaches its final stages, Which? is calling for further action “to tackle the millions of households paying over the odds on expensie standard tariffs”.

UK power supplier Utilita Energy was recently fined £560,000 for blocking customers from switching to other firms.

ELN has contacted DECC for a response.