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Clear Business Water has urged the water sector to raise awareness of competition in the market, to unlock up to £2.5 billion worth of savings for small business customers by 2025.
The retailer said as many as 47 per cent of Scottish business customers remain unaware of the potential to save money by switching supplier.
However, it said that based on Scottish figures £2.5 billion could be saved by 2025, which, highlights the importance awareness raising activities which surround market opening.
“With the English market due to open next year, an additional 5.4 million SMEs benefit from the same positive effects the Scottish market has witnessed, providing a bigger boost to the UK economy as a whole,” it said.
“Considering the apparent lack of awareness within the SME community eight years on, however, this does raise the question that, if the English market follows the trends set in the Scotland how much in potential savings could English SMEs miss out on eight years on from market opening?”
In 2008, Scotland became the first country in the world to allow businesses the choice as to which company supplies their water services.
Sixteen licenced providers entered the market upon its opening and, according to incumbent retailer Business stream, more than £100 million was saved by Scottish businesses during the first six years of the open water market, which was hugely beneficial to the Scottish economy.
Clear Business Water sales director John O’Donnell said: “One of the challenges has been building the trust that we can provide better rates without any disruption to the service. Even 8 years down the line we are still informing businesses they have the option to switch.”
Research released today by the Consumer Council for Water found there is appetite among water customers in England for competition in the household retail market, with two thirds saying they would welcome the opportunity to shop around for a different retail supplier.
However, the survey revealed only one third would consider switching when they were informed that actual savings could be as little as £4-£8 on the average annual water and sewerage bill.
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