Nearly 9,000 sign up for cheaper fuel

ALMOST 9,000 Oldham households were set to take on Britain’s energy giants today after signing up to the council’s scheme to cut fuel bills.

The Power to the People Energy Switch was launched last month, offering savings of up to £200 a year on bills.

As the deadline to sign up was reached last night, 8,726 households had joined in — 3,700 more than the council originally anticipated.

An independent company will now take that number to auction at lunchtime today for the big six energy firms to compete against each other to offer the lowest tariffs — and in return win the entire group of customers.

The prices agreed on will be sent out to participating households in the coming days. They can then either opt out or accept the prices and sign up to a 12-month fixed contract.

The energy companies will also pay a finder’s fee, which will be put into a community dividend to help needy residents.

The scheme, pioneered by Oldham Council, is the largest of its kind in the UK and was open to residents across the borough and further afield.

Locals who missed out this time round can take part in the next auction in January.

See www.oldham.gov.uk/fairenergy for further details.