Nearly 12 million UK households are on standard variable tariffs, the most expensive default products on the market. That is a staggering number given that switching suppliers can cut annual bills by £150 or more, according to Ofgem’s latest retail market review. The inertia is costly, and it is precisely the problem that collective switching schemes like North East Lincolnshire Council’s Switch Together aim to solve.
As reported by North East Lincolnshire Council, Switch Together invites residents to register their interest in a group energy auction. The council then uses the combined demand of thousands of households to negotiate a lower tariff with suppliers. Participants receive a personalised offer and can accept or decline with no penalty. The scheme also highlights green tariffs, helping residents cut carbon as well as cost.
How collective switching works, and what it saves
The mechanics are straightforward. A local authority, often working with an external partner such as iChoosr or The Big Community Switch, runs a reverse auction. Suppliers bid for the right to supply the aggregated load. The winning supplier offers a fixed tariff, usually for 12 months. Households that registered then get a letter or email with their personal quote, based on their postcode and typical usage, and decide whether to switch.
Savings vary by region and current tariff, but Energy Saving Trust data from similar schemes across England and Wales shows typical annual savings of £100 to £200 for a medium-usage household using 12,000 kWh of gas and 3,000 kWh of electricity. The tariff is often a fixed-rate product, which protects against price cap increases for the contract term, a useful hedge given the cap rose by £63 in October 2024.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
Switch Together is open to all households in the North East Lincolnshire Council area, regardless of whether they own or rent their home. Tenants need permission from their landlord to switch, as the contract is in the billpayer’s name. Prepayment meter customers can usually participate, though the tariffs offered may differ from those for direct debit customers.
The catch is timing. Registration windows are typically open for only two to four weeks. After that, the auction closes and no new applicants can join until the next round, which may be six to twelve months later. Miss the deadline and you wait. Residents who miss the window can still benefit indirectly: the published winning tariff often sets a benchmark that other suppliers match or beat in the following weeks.
What this means for your EPC and wider home upgrades
Collective switching is a demand-side fix, not a supply-side upgrade. It does not improve your home’s energy efficiency directly. But the money saved, £100–£200 a year, can be redirected toward measures that do improve an EPC rating: loft insulation (typically £300–£500 installed), draught-proofing (£100–£200), or a smart thermostat (£150–£250). Those upgrades, in turn, lock in lower consumption regardless of which supplier you use.
North East Lincolnshire Council is not alone. At least 40 local authorities across the UK now run or have run collective switching schemes, including Birmingham, Leeds, and Bristol. The model works best in areas with high fuel poverty rates, where the savings can make a material difference to household budgets. Ofgem has endorsed the approach in its recent proposals for a ‘collective switch’ duty on suppliers, though that remains under consultation.
For homeowners serious about cutting bills and carbon, the sequence is clear: switch tariff now, bank the saving, then invest that saving in fabric efficiency. Switch Together offers the first step, free, no-obligation, and with a deadline you can set in your calendar today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the scheme is free to join and there is no obligation to accept the offer. Switching energy supplier does not affect your credit score; it simply changes who bills you for gas and electricity.
You simply decline the offer. The scheme is built to secure a competitive rate, but if your current fixed deal is cheaper, for example, one locked in before the 2024 price cap rises, you can stay put. No penalty, no hard feelings.
