Ah, I see. I think folk who were moved by ofgem after energy company closures were given 'special rates' which was quite right of course. Not their fault the company failed.
In my case I wasn't given a "special rate" by British Gas who are my designated "supplier of last resort" - never has a description been more apt!!!
I've been talking to BG about the account since September, at each step I've complied with their request for initial meter reading, monthly meter readings, annual consumption figures, direct debit etc. In that time I've received one bill in December until this week when I eventually discovered why I haven't been billed and how to ensure I do get a bill!! After much discussion my account was updated on Monday to move from £289 credit to £278 in debit. I still don't have a bill to allow me to check this. Until Monday my account has shown in credit for seven months!!! Why? Consumption and charges are only calculated every six months on this type of account.
To put this in perspective I've been with smaller companies, that is not "big six," for perhaps 15 years. My account has always been paid by monthly direct debit with some suppliers varying the DD every few months to ensure we keep on track. Over twelve months this always works out to within +/-£30-40. Happy.
With British Gas the system is different and it has taken seven months to discover this. If one pays a fixed amount by monthly DD one is deemed to be on an installment plan and BG only bill customers of this type every six months - frankly this is a disaster waiting to happen for many people. If one wants to receive a monthly bill then it must be paid by variable direct debit with BG taking the full amount every month. That's not quite what I wanted but if that's the system so be it, what really angers me is it took seven months to be given this information and only because I have chased and argued throughout that time.
To add insult to injury in December BG emailed to say I was paying too much and reduced my fixed DD accordingly. I was promised all the bills etc. would show on my account by Wednesday morning. Nothing and of course the website has been crashed for 48 hours. I'm fortunate in that I can find the £567 BG say I owe but for many, many people this would be an absolute financial disaster.
Supplier of last resort. Undoubtedly. I'll be away from BG as soon as the mess is sorted out.