Public Confidence is ‘extremely low’ when it comes to the Big Six energy suppliers. Ofgem (the industry regulator) has warned companies that they might face mandatory price controls to deal with the growing issue of customer confidence.

Recently surveys have been carried out on behalf of pressure group compass and Friends of the Earth claiming that 90 per cent of energy consumers would welcome and independent inquiry into the Big Six suppliers.

Ofgem’s Partner for Markets, Ian Marlee, said: “the challenge facing Britain's energy market has probably never been greater than it is today … Poor supplier behaviour and the complexity of the energy market have contributed to an erosion of consumer trust.” (www.smartestenergy.com, 21/02/2012)