A record 5.5 million customers switched electricity supplier in 2017.

That’s according to the latest figures from Energy UK, which show this is a 15% increase on the 4,822,885 switches that took place the year before.

More than 400,000 customers changed supplier in December alone and through the year, competition has intensified, with 28% of customers switching to small and medium-sized providers.

Energy UK said millions more customers also  switched to better deals with their current supplier.

Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive of Energy UK, said: “It is tremendous to see switching surpassing all expectations during 2017.

“Every year more and more customers are seeking out a better deal and potentially saving themselves hundreds of pounds a year.”

Recent research from the Energy Switch Guarantee shows 90% of customers are happy with the switching progress.