HUNDREDS of Thurrock residents have joined thousands across the UK already signed up to the Big Energy Switch, the council’s first collective energy switching scheme, including the Leader of Thurrock Council himself, Cllr John Kent.
Since the scheme’s sign-up appeal started on 15 February, where people can save up to £250 a year, the number of registrations has already exceeded 16,000 and is going up on a daily basis. The appeal will run until 8 April when an auction of energy suppliers will be held the following day.
Cllr Kent said: “I would like to see as many residents who are struggling with rising electricity and gas prices to sign up to this scheme, the more who do the better deal we can get with a supplier to drive down the price.
“The scheme is open to everyone, and no one is committed to anything if they register. You can decide whether you wish to accept or decline the tariff that is offered after the scheme closes so there is nothing to lose.
Thurrock Council will be running signing up sessions to sign up at the Civic Offices this Thursday, 14 March, from 1pm to 5pm and the morning of 3 April between 9am and 1pm.
People are asked to bring copies of their gas and electricity bills so they have all the information required to complete the form.
Full details on how to sign are also available on the council’s website by clicking on 
www.thurrock.gov.uk/bigswitch which will link to the online registration form on the iChoosr website or call 01375 366103 for assistance.
I take it that, as always, this offer does not apply to customers with pre-payment meters as you have to bring a bill along. This means that many residents who moved into a council property with a pre-payment meter installed are screwed yet again. Of course, they could have their pre-payment meter replaced with an ordinary meter but as that costs around £60 – where are they supposed to find that kind of cash? Why should they have to? And why can’t energy companies do a deal for the customers with pre-payment meters?