Boris Johnson urged to fast-track automatic energy switching to help hard-up families get cheapest deals

BORIS Johnson was today urged to fast-track automatic energy switching to help hard-up Brits get the cheapest deals.

Struggling families face £139 price rises this winter as the current energy cap is lifted on October 1.

Ministers say they will bring forward plans to automatically move many customers to the lowest tariff on the market.

But a consultation began only last month and nothing is expected to be in place before 2024.

The Sun asked six big power firms if they would pledge not to raise prices.

Only EDF Energy replied — with a promise that tariffs will go up due to record global price rises for fossil fuels, especially gas.

Mike Foster of the Energy and Utilities Alliance said: “One million households could go into fuel poverty. There has to be some action taken.

“Whether that’s bringing forward switching or continuing the £20 Universal Credit uplift to plug the bill — ministers have those powers at their disposal and can act tomorrow.”

Peter Smith of National Energy Action added: “The devastating increase to the price cap couldn’t come at a worse time.”

MP Darren Jones, head of the business select committee, said: “If energy companies can’t help their poorest customers get on to the best-priced tariffs this winter then there’ll be little left but for ministers to legislate.”

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