Press & PR

Utilities companies in the UK have come under fire in recent days as a result of their billing policies.

Consumer watchdog Energywatch has described the changing billing systems and tariffs implemented by electricity and gas firms as "immensely complicated".

Furthermore, consumers making efforts to check what charges they are subject to find the process inordinately difficult, the regulator asserts.

The BBC gives an example of one company that, when increasing its prices, seemed to charge a disproportionate number of units at the new higher rate - despite the fact that most of them were likely to have been used when price rises remained unannounced.

"There are absolutely no regulations about this whatsoever, it is immensely complicated for the consumer," says Robert Hammond, spokesperson for Energywatch.

"If you have doubts, challenge them, ask them what the method is that they use."

Vonage is also encouraging consumers to take on industry giants in order to get a better deal - in terms of communications costs.

Consumers who feel their current provider is overpriced might like to consider the price plans offered by the firm, such as the V-Plan 2 which offers unlimited calls to landlines in 15 different countries for only £7.99 per month.