PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has urged people to switch their gas and electricity providers in large numbers to cut household bills.

The Tory backbencher has signed a Commons motion which reads: “We welcome The Big Switch initiative, led by Which? and 38 Degrees, that aims to help people struggling with rising energy prices using the combined switching power of thousands of consumers to negotiate a market-leading deal.

“We regret that 60 per cent. of consumers have never switched energy supplier and that 75 per cent. are currently on their suppliers' standard tariff.

“We note that consumers, for whom energy prices are the number one financial concern, are baffled by the array of offers in the marketplace and often find themselves on more expensive deals when switching.

“We further note that the more people who sign up to The Big Switch, the better the bargaining position of consumers will be and urge people to sign up before March 31.”