Farron: Giving power back - saving consumers hundreds of pounds

Tim Farron and the Liberal Democrats have launched a package of measures to shift the balance of power back in favour of consumers and commuters to ease the cost of living and save families hundreds of pounds a year. Our "Five Point Plan" comes on the back of the Lib Dem Digital Rights Bill that provides compensation for consumers who have their data misused online.

The plan works by helping consumers switch suppliers or getting group discounts. After five years in government radically overhauling consumer rights law and driving competition in the energy sector, the Liberal Democrats want to go even further to save people money.

The Five Points are:

• Saving people on average £200 a year by forcing energy companies to allow customers to change supplier within just 24 hours
• Saving consumers on average £200 a year by extending 'collective switching' across the UK, helping people benefit from group discounts on bills
• Saving money for customers on prepayment utility meters by 2017 by guaranteeing them the ability to install a smart meter
• Saving consumers time and effort by making the company people switch to handle their move over, and extending the measure to other consumer services like telecoms, TV and broadband services
• Saving rail users money by ending the era of above-inflation rail fare increases

Tim said: "A fair deal for consumers is something I have fought for over the last few years, we have achieved a lot, but can and must do more. This plan will make a big difference.

"We want to give power back to consumers and commuters, making sure people are not ripped off by sky high energy bills and excessively high rail fares."