More than 100,000 households have signed up to council run collective switching schemes in the last year saving a massive £10 million on their gas and electricity bills, according to new analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA).

Council bosses believe these savings are just the tip of the ice berg, with such schemes offering huge potential for communities to club together to save money and help prevent thousands of hard-pressed families and vulnerable people from slipping into fuel poverty.

Since January, the number of authorities running collective switching schemes has more than doubled, with 65 councils including those in Peterborough, Greater Manchester, Leeds and London all now offering residents the chance to club together to negotiate better deals.

Those who have signed-up so far have saved between £60 and £250 with the average saving around £125.

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Despite the long, harsh winter and spiralling energy prices recent surveys show that less than a fifth of energy consumers in the UK are on the lowest tariff available.

Complicated deals, fears over contract cancellation charges, and a simple lack of time mean many people are still reluctant to switch, particularly vulnerable members of the community such as those with disabilities and the elderly.

Acting as trusted negotiators on behalf of communities all over the country, councils are making it quicker and easier for millions of people to switch energy supplier than ever before.

Cllr Peter Fleming, Chair of the Local Government Association's Improvement Board, said: "Deep down we all know that we probably aren't getting the best deal on our energy bills but who has the time to shop around and go through all the hassle of switching supplier? The beauty of these schemes is that we do that all for you at no cost to the individual customer.

"As a concept, collective switching is still really in its infancy. This time last year there were no schemes being run in this country, now there are more than 65 councils onboard, saving 100,000 residents more than £10 million. Imagine how many millions we could have helped people saved by this time next year.

"The real benefit of these schemes for councils is not just about helping people save money, but about ensuring vulnerable members of our communities like the elderly or those with disabilities who are perhaps more concerned about how to switch supplier. By harnessing the collective purchasing power of our residents, we can help make it easy for them and prevent thousands more people from slipping into to fuel poverty."

(CD)