Clear north/south divide in energy switching

Published 8 September 2020

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Data taken over a 20-year period shows a clear north/south divide between the households most likely to switch energy provider.

The research, from Uswitch, shows eight northern towns and cities make up the top ten switching areas per 1,000 population.

Topping the table is Harrogate in North Yorkshire with 196 switches compared to bottom-ranked London which had only 116.

Rank City/town Population Switches per 1,000 population
1 Harrogate 138,343 196
2 Stockport 603,795 191
3 Huddersfield 262,814 188
4 Leeds 774,180 182
5 Halifax 160,378 180
6 Reading 778,677 179
7 Preston 520,556 178
8 York 562,439 178
9 Gloucester 605,821 177
10 Crewe 309,489 177

The capital and other large cities are thought to have lower rates of switching due to the higher number of people who rent.

Uswitch attributes multi-occupancy homes such as bedsits and flat shares as another reason for the lower rates.

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Five of the locations in the bottom ten are in Wales, including capital Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Llandudno and Llandrindod Wells:

Rank City/town Population Switches per 1,000 population
1 London 8.6 million 116
2 Swansea 730,232 121
3 Canterbury 482,504 123
4 Liverpool 857,079 124
5 Newport 488,368 126
6 Llandrindod Wells 49,792 128
7 Llandudno 537,467 128
8 Cardiff 1 million 129
9 Luton 335,950 134
10 Dartford 430,560 135

Since being founded in 2000 Uswtich says it has saved energy consumers £2.5 billion by helping them to switch provider.

Will Owen, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “Northerners are showing southerners how it’s done when it comes to switching, with Harrogate residents switching at twice the rate of those in central London.

“Yorkshire residents are earning their reputation for being frugal, with five locations in the top ten being from God’s Own Country.”