Information needed (Large Electricity consumer) 
 
Company registered name: suppliers need for this preliminary credit checks  
Site name: The actual site for the supply  
Supply Number: Sometimes called a MPAN, this is your identity on the national grid  
Start date & termination: Important to know if your existing supplier will release you  
Consumption: Different suppliers are competitive for different levels of usage  
KVA / availability: A commonly misunderstood item which is essentially your ‘licence’ to take electricity from the grid.  
HV/LV: High or low voltage site. Do you have your own transformer or do you use the local supply?  
HH data: A record of your meter reading over the last year  
 
 
Information needed (Medium-Small Consumer) 
 
Company registered name: suppliers need for this preliminary credit checks  
Site name: The actual site for the supply  
Supply Number: Sometimes called a MPAN, this is your identity on the national grid  
Start date & termination: Important to know if your existing supplier will release you  
Consumption: Different suppliers are competitive for different levels of usage  
 
 
Letter of Termination: 
 
This is a very important document that you need to lodge with your current supplier to allow you the freedom to choose another supplier. Click here to download a letter of termination for your electricity supplies. 
 
In you existing terms and conditions there will be a clause that says something to this effect :  
"if you do not let us know in writing before a certain time before the end of your contract we reserve the right to lock you into an evergreen contract at the prices of our choosing. If you fail to give us this notice by this date (even if you miss it by one day) that's tough luck". 
 
BEWARE! 
 
The deadline can be as long as 90 days before the end of your contract, it may be stipulated that you cannot send the letter UNTIL you have had your renewal letter. The deadline may be a small window of time dictated in the renewal letter. The renewal letter may only arrive AFTER the deadline has passed. Suppliers may refuse to acknowledge that the letter was ever received, you may find they want it sent to a very specific address. 
 
 
Letter of Authority 
 
Please click here to download a letter of authority. 
 
What is an LOA and why do we need one? 
 
As a company we take your security very seriously, as do your suppliers. We request a letter of authority to allow us to use the information you give us in line with our obligations to the data protection act. We also need a letter to give us authority to sort out problems if they occur as your appointed consultant. 
A letter of authority does not allow us to act without your permission or to commit you to actions or contract without your express direction. 
For you, and our, security and peace of mind confirmation of all 'instructions' will be requested in written form (email) and/or confirmed using call recordings of your conversations with your consultant. 
 
 
 
 
 
NEW CONNECTIONS 
 
New Connections can be time-consuming and cause many problems. It is imperative that the process is properly project managed from the suppliers end to ensure that the right people at the right time are involved and that the right contract is signed. 
 
Moving forwards all meters should be “smart” meters, due to the governments drive to reduce carbon emissions and help businesses achieve 100% accurate billing.  
 
If you require a new connection for your business, BusinessSwitch.co.uk can fully manage this process for you. Contact us on 0800 048 2928 to let us make sure that you get it right. 
 
 
 
 
 
RECENTLY MOVED 
 
If you have recently moved premises, you will need to provide your energy suppliers with a copy of your Change of Tenancy Agreement before any new contracts can be issued in your company's name. BusinessSwitch.co.uk helps clients by handling all the necessary paperwork and sourcing the best possible tarriffs for your new contract(s). For more information on how this process works call us on 0800 048 2928. 
 
 
 
 
Energy FAQ’s 
 
• Who to phone with problems  
• How contracts are priced 
• Meter installation 
• Market information 
• ‘Managed Client’ service 
• Suppliers and distributors 
• Technical matters 
• Ask a question 
 
 
1. Who is BusinessSwitch? 
2. Why use the BusinessSwitch? 
3. Why Switch Supplier? 
4. What do you need to do before you can make the switch? 
5. How do I obtain a quote? 
6. What does a supplier need to provide you with a quotation? 
7. How long does it take to switch supplier? 
8. What is your Renewal Offer? 
9. What should you do when you receive your Renewal Offer? 
10. What happens should I do if my renewal offer does not arrive? 
11. What is a Supply Contract? 
12. What type of contract am I on? 
13. What type of Contract Should I Accept? 
14. Do I have to have a Supply Contract? 
15. What is the Contract Duration or Contract Period? 
16. What is a Contract Termination Notice? 
17. What is a Contract Period End Date? 
18. What is a Deemed Accepted Contract? 
19. What is an Evergreen Contract? 
20. What is the Wholesale Market? 
21. What is the Energy Retail Price? 
22. Should I read my own meter throughout the contract? 
23. What payment terms should I choose? 
24. What is my Electricity Estimated Annual Consumption? 
25. What is my Gas Annual Quantity? 
26. Do suppliers ask for credit creditworthiness or security? 
27. What happens if I do not pay my Energy Supplier? 
28. What happens if you believe that your bill is not correct? 
29. What is the Supply Start Date (SSD for short)? 
30. Should I take a meter reading on or around the Supply Start Date? 
31. What happens if I want to cancel my contract during the contract period? 
32. What can happen if your current supplier has a contract clause about "choosing to match your best offer"? 
33. What Half Hourly Metered Data? 
34. Who is OFGEM? 
35. Who is energywatch? 
36. What is Value Added Tax (VAT for short)? 
37. What is Climate Change Levy (CCL for short)? 
38. How will I find out if I am Exempt from CCL? 
39. What is a meter Operator? 
40. Who is reads my meter? 
41. What is a Data Aggregator? 
 
1. Who is the BusinessSwitch?  
BusinessSwitch is a fully independent consultancy/broker for business energy and utility supplies. We pride ourselves on having developed access and relationships to quality suppliers across the UK. We have specialists in energy, telecommunications, insurance and finance who are briefed to look at clients costs and provide feedback on the ‘fit for purpose’ value of existing contracts and suggest alternatives if appropriate. 
 
2. Why use the BusinessSwitch? 
Three reasons: Price, service and service 
 
We value our independence and work on your behalf to save money for your business. It is our strong belief that if we review your contract positions your only risk is that you will save money. If you are getting a great deal, which happens frequently, we will be the first to tell you so and suggest you stay put until the position changes. 
 
Our primary aim is to cut your costs, we will not do so by cutting quality of your services as we value your opinion and enjoy recommendations from satisfied clients. 
Once you are a client you will find industry expert specialists a free-phone call away at any time if you require further assistance or just need to ask us a quick question. 
Our obligation to provide the best recommendations and save you as much money as possible does not stop when you move to your new service provider. Your BusinessSwitch account manager will be available at any time during the contract period to answer any questions or speak to your supplier about any queries you might have. As an independent company it would be inappropriate for us to discuss billing or payment issues with your supplier as these are personal financial issues that should be privy to your company only. 
3. Why Switch Supplier? 
The UK market economy favours ‘new business’. We see this clearly with the high street banks with the best savings rates, ‘free banking’ and mortgage rates reserved for new customers. 
The markets we have expertise in are no different; every supplier is competing for ‘market share’, with little loyalty to existing customers, who do not have professional assistance. 
While suppliers retain the best offers for ‘new business’, existing customers face elaborate termination procedures designed to lock businesses into ‘roll-over’ contracts and high renewal rates. 
 
4. What do you need to do before you can make the switch? 
Make sure that you leave yourself ample time to gather the key information before making your choice, you BusinessSwitch account manager will assist with this. 
Information needed: 
1. Confirm the termination conditions of the contract you have with your current supplier.  
2. Gather some key information; see Information needed links on each service page of this site. The majority of this information can be found on a recent invoice. Your account manager can look through the invoice and extract the correct information rapidly. 
 
5. How do I obtain a quote? 
Before asking for quotes your BusinessSwitch account manager will make sure you have as much of the following information as possible for all the premises you wish to tender:  
• Full address and post code for each commercial premise you own or rent. 
• The reference number for the all meter point(s) as shown on a bill(s) from your current supplier (i.e. Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) for gas and Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) or also know as the Supply or ‘S’ number for electricity). You may have more than one meter point for either fuel at your premises; you can check this with your existing supplier if you are unsure. 
• Meter Serial Number(s)- (nice to know but not essential)– the number printed on your meter(s). If in doubt you can ask your supplier, who could offer arrange a meter reading visit (although this may be incur a charge). 
• Your best assessment of the annual amount of energy used, and the nature of your business/ consumption patterns since different prices may apply depending upon seasonal fluctuations or the time day at which you need to use energy. All of the following will be available from your latest bill, or from your current supplier.  
• For businesses which consume a significant amount of electricity, the maximum demand (the largest amount of electricity consumption in any one half-hour period) 
• Where gas consumption is high the Authorised Supply Capacity (the maximum quantity of gas you are permitted to use per day or per hour, as determined by the gas transporter) 
• For very high gas consumption, some premises may be supplied on an interruptible basis (where your gas supply can be interrupted on pre-agreed notice). If you have such a site, it is very important that you provide your new gas supplier with emergency contact details for these premises, in accordance with the Gas Safety Management Regulations.  
• Emergency contact details will also be required for sites consuming over 25k therms. Your new supplier will be able to give you more information about what contact details must be provided.  
• Details of the arrangements in place for meters and meter reading. Usually the supplier will arrange these services for the customer. However, some customers arrange these services themselves, and it is important that you notify suppliers if this is the case for any of your premises. One of the key pieces of meter information is where it is located within the property. 
• If you qualify for any VAT or Climate Change Levy exemptions or reductions – you will have to provide copies of these forms to your new supplier, and in some cases complete a new VAT declaration. 
• A copy of your last bill, this can be extremely helpful. 
• There is a facility for gas customers to monitor much of the above data for most of their sites. For more information, visit http://www.xoserve.com and click on "Industrial and Commercial Consumer Access to Data". It is anticipated that future industry developments will provide an equivalent or similar service for all non-domestic electricity customers. 
• What are you plans for the future. Gas suppliers will need to know if you are a large user and plan to expand or contract your usage by >20% as this will effect your take-or-pay clause. 
Please note that suppliers are not obliged to respond to your request to provide a quote for supply. 
 
5. What does a supplier need to provide you with a quotation? 
The change of energy supplier process should operate smoothly, but you can help by being able to provide accurate information to your supplier, particularly: 
• The amount of energy you use on an annual basis 
• The terms of the contract you have with your existing supplier such termination notices and contract end dates (and metering service provider, referred to as the meter operator, if applicable)  
• Details of the premises you own/occupy, including the supply number/s and any special metering arrangements you have, such as associated meters. 
• Your current supplier should be able to help you with this information if you do not have it. Generally, any queries you may have about the process should be raised with the company facilitating the switch. 
 
6. How long does it take to switch supplier? 
The change of supplier process should take about four to six weeks. BusinessSwitch account managers will advise you of the expected timescales and key elements of the process. 
Your new and current supplier will be transferring ‘data flows’ (important site and metering information) between each other, and their metering service providers. If data mismatches occur, this can prevent a successful transfer or lead to delays. Your account manager may contact you during this period to clarify details or arrange a visit to the premises. 
In order to help ensure the process runs smoothly, it is recommended that you do not change meters leading up to a transfer, as this increases the risk of a delay or complications. 
7. What is your Renewal Offer? 
Your current supplier will send a letter at some stage prior to the end of your supply period quoting a renewal price. You must not ignore this letter as the price can be much higher than another supplier might offer you as a new customer. (2008 record increase is 609% -so far) 
Various tactics are employed by suppliers to maximise the chance that the letter is missed or ignored. If you do choose to do something then the salient information cannot be found on the renewal letter to get alternative quotes. 
These tactics ensure that 60% of UK businesses fail to switch supplier and suffer the elevated rates and unwarranted cost burden. 
 
8. What should you do when you receive your Renewal Offer? 
As soon as you receive your renewal offer you should call your BusinessSwitch account manager to compare the rates being quoted with other rates on the market. Your account manager will ensure your termination notice is lodged with your existing supplier. 
 
9. What happens should I do if my renewal offer does not arrive? 
Your BusinessSwitch Account manager will have contacted you around the time your renewal is due and will chase the supplier for renewal offers. You would be advised to consider your options and request a renewal from your current supplier. 
 
10. What is a Supply Contract? 
This is the binding contract for a specific duration of time between the supplier and the customer. There will be obligations for both parties, however the contract will be slanted in the suppliers favour and this needs to be fully appreciated and understood by the customer before they accept it. 
Please note that there is no cooling off period for business customers if you enter into a contract with a supplier. It is therefore very important that you consider all of your options to make the most informed decision before entering into a contract. 
If you verbally accept a contract with your BusinessSwitch account manager and the contract is lodged with the supplier you will be legally bound to honour the contract. Your account manager will have supplied the new supplier with either the email of acceptance and or a voice recording at the time of acceptance. If you enter into another contract for the same supply with another supplier you will be liable to large penalty payments. 
 
11. What type of contract am I on? 
You will need to ask your current supplier if you are unsure of what type of contract you are currently on.  
Generally there have been three types of contract that have been offered to the small to medium sized enterprises in the UK, fixed term, evergreen and tariff. All of the contracts will have different clauses and must be fully appreciated and understood by you the customer before you make any future decisions on your energy needs. 
 
13. What type of Contract Should I Accept? 
You will need to make sure that you are aware of the terms and conditions of the contract you are about to accept. Your BusinessSwitch account manager will provide you with written T&C’s with your contract and may suggest you pay particular attention to certain areas, however it is your legal responsibility to read and understand them as your signature on the contract will indicate their acceptance. We regret that your BusinessSwitch account manager cannot be held responsible for complaints subsequent due to lack of observance of the relevant T&C’s 
 
14. Do I have to have a Supply Contract? 
Yes, as a business customer you have to have a supply contract in place with a supply company in order to remain connected to the system and receive a supply of gas and electricity. It may be a rolling 28 day contract, particularly if you pay quarterly and you see rates fluctuating. If you have moved into a property and used the suppliers services for more than six months you may have been ‘deemed’ to have entered into a supply contract by default. If you did not renew your contract at the last anniversary then you may have been ‘rolled’ into an evergreen contract. 
 
15. What is the Contract Duration or Contract Period? 
This is the duration of time usually anywhere between 12, 36 or 48 months where the customer and supplier are bound by the terms of the supply contract. Larger customers may have a contract of a bespoke length. 
 
16. What is a Contract Termination Notice? 
Most business supply contracts ask for what is referred to as a termination notice. This can be anywhere between 28 days and 130 days. 
This notice of contract termination will need to be served within the required notice before the end of the contract duration, referred to as the contract expiry or renewal date. 
As part of your managed service your BusinessSwitch account manager will proactively contact you and terminate your contract to avoid being rolled over onto penal prices or those prices in the renewal notice. Please be warned that some suppliers do not have to send a renewal notice before they roll you over onto what are usually much higher rates for another 12 to 24 months - so you need to act NOW!. 
To avoid the contract ‘roll over’ tactics, please click here (link to termination notice) and complete the termination notice to print on company headed paper. BusinessSwitch account manager can provide the correct addresses to send the notice via recorded mail, fax, email and retain receipts for all methods. Suppliers have a habit of ‘not receiving’ renewal letters, or deciding they were sent to the wrong place or in the wrong format etc. 
If you require any further information or advice regarding terminating your current contract please do not hesitate to contact your BusinessSwitch account manager. 
 
17. What is a Contract Period End Date? 
This is the date that your current contract period ends. If you are on a fixed price, fixed term contract, the prices detailed in your contract will no longer apply. If you do not sign a new contract with a supplier, you will either go onto a ‘deemed/default rate’ contract or an ‘evergreen roll-over contract’ at elevated rates. See below for details. 
 
 
18. What is a Deemed/Default Rate Contract? 
The prices on a deemed/default rate ‘accepted’ contract are considerably higher than fixed rate fixed term contracts. This is justified by the suppliers who are buying or trading energy that will be subjected to short term pricing which is more costly. This contract does not require a signature from you as an acceptance. 
This is the last resort contract procedure if you have previously been on a fixed term contract, and a supplier should give you plenty of notice and remind you that it would be in your best interest to sign a longer-term fixed price contract. Please note that a contract termination notice of up to 3 months can still apply on a deemed contracts. 
 
19. What is an Evergreen Contract? 
An ‘evergreen’ or ‘roll over’ contract will automatically renew if you do not issue the correct termination notice within the time specified in your by your current supply contract.  
Your current supplier should notify you of the rates you will pay for the new contract duration, which will be significantly higher than the market rate, as part of your renewal process. However some suppliers will only send you this information AFTER it is too late to terminate your contract. This is perfectly legal, if a little unfair, as it will have been in your original T&C’s. As a managed client your BusinessSwitch account manager will have notified you of the correct time to terminate, however, it firmly rests on your shoulders to issue contract termination notice and allow yourself the luxury of searching the market, get competitive offers and make the right decision in you own time. 
 
20. What is the Wholesale Market? 
Energy suppliers buy the energy they supply you with on the wholesale market. As with any other wholesale market, prices will change, and from minute to minute the supplier will adjust its prices to take account of this. There are historic and season fluctuations and more resonantly extraordinary volatility. 
 
21. What is the Energy Retail Price? 
The retail price is the price that customers pay for their energy. It includes cost of the energy purchased on the wholesale market (between 40% to 60% of the total price), as well as transportation/transmission costs to your premises, plus their profit margin and margin to cover costs. Often ‘new business’ will have very slim margins as suppliers hope to lock you in on more profitable margins in later years. 
 
22. Should I read my own meter throughout the contract? 
100% yes. It is all our responsibilities to monitor our usage. We should no more ignore taking meter readings than ignore our credit card bills and keep spending.  
Although the supplier should arrange for a meter readers to come to your premises and read the meter, it would be beneficial if you could also arrange for the meters to be read approximately every three months if possible. This reading frequency will enhance the accuracy of your bills.  
Please also keep a copy of the all of the reads, and the dates the meter was read for your own records and to compare with the suppliers bill. 
Running on estimated bills is the equivalent of giving your money to the supplier with no guarantee of getting it back. 
 
23. What payment terms should I choose? 
Its your choice, however all the best prices are offered on DD, you will pay ~10% surcharge for cash/cheque settlement. Prices offered by your BusinessSwitch account manager will be based on DD and you will need to inform us if you do not wish to pay this way. 
It is often possible to switch to cash/cheque later in the contract if your supplier is in agreement and you can show a history of good payment by DD.  
 
24. What is my Electricity Estimated Annual Consumption (EAC)? 
This is the figure that is a realistic estimate of your consumption in the last 12 months that we will present to your supplier when you sign a new contract. This figure is usually stipulated in the new contract and will be used by the supplier as a basis to purchase the Electricity on the wholesale market to cover your demand.  
If you are a large consumer it is important that you get this figure as accurate as possible as some suppliers might inflict a penalty charges if your actual demand deviates significantly from the estimate you provided. 
For SME users the EAC will be used for estimating your bills where there are no readings available. 
The best place to get this figure is from previous monthly or quarterly invoices from your current supplier. If you are still in doubt, please contact your supplier directly and ask them to provide the data. 
 
25. What is my Gas Annual Quantity (AQ)? 
This is the amount of gas Transco has registered on its system as your consumption. When gas contracts are priced it is on this figure that the new supplier will purchase your gas.  
The importance of ensuring that your gas AQ is correct cannot be stressed enough. If there is a large mismatch you may face huge penalty payments or not be able to get a supply at all! Your BusinessSwitch account manager can advise on how this will effect you and how to initiate an ‘appeal’ if the figures are in error. 
 
26.Do suppliers ask for credit creditworthiness or security? 
All suppliers will credit check your company and may decline to even quote if you do not meet their criteria. Entire industries may be denied access to certain suppliers at certain times ie: pubs. 
If you know of any credit issues please inform your BusinessSwitch account manager in advance to avoid problems. 
Some suppliers will require you to prove your or give a security deposits or bonds before you can take a supply.  
Check whether the supplier will accept credit references rather than needing cash. If it has to take a security deposit, make sure you know when you can get it back. Many suppliers will let you have the deposit back once you establish a record of being a good payer (for instance, twelve months of paying bills on time).  
Check whether the supplier is going to pay interest on any deposit it holds, and how much. When you are entitled to get a security deposit back, ask for it and make sure that you get any interest you are entitled to.  
If you have a secure business but a poor rating for an unrelated issue it may be worth considering Credit Assurance on the major potion of your sales ledger and then use the credit report from the Assurance company to support your own credit worthy status claims. Your BusinessSwitch account manager can help with this information. 
 
 
27. What happens if I do not pay my Energy Supplier? 
Business energy suppliers have a special legal right to cut-off premises when a customer does not pay them. This means that they can go to court to get a warrant to enter the premises and physically disconnect you. If you do get cut-off you may have to pay a substantial charge to be reconnected.  
Make sure that you are familiar with your payment obligations and stick to them so that you can avoid this. If you think there is going to be any problem with making payment, advise the supplier in writing as soon as you can and try to reach agreement on how to deal with it.  
Like other businesses, energy suppliers will probably give themselves the right issue late payment charges and to charge interest on late-payments. The interest rate charged may vary as between suppliers. 
DO NOT stop DD payments, if you have issues ask your supplier to put you on monthly cash/cheque payment and sort out the problems. Stopping payments in retaliation for poor service will result in your credit rating plummeting, your supply possibly being cut off and sever difficulties in the future getting any sort of energy contract. 
 
28. What happens if you believe that your bill is not correct? 
If you believe that you have been billed in error, raise the query formally with your supplier in writing; do not stop making payments (see above).  
Give ‘reasonable time’ for the problem to be sorted out, offer a token payment if the problem is not corrected, and escalate the complaint within the suppliers management. Do everything in writing and keep the paper trail.  
 
29. What is the Supply Start Date (SSD for short)? 
There will be a period between signing your contract and starting supply with a new supplier. This is because a new supplier will need to register your supply, and this process can take a little time, approximately 28 days.  
Your BusinessSwitch account manager will be able to inform you of your start date as the process can drag on for weeks if there are issues to resolve with a troublesome former supplier. Some suppliers will object to your transfer for no apparent reason and your BusinessSwitch account manager will come back to you to sort these issues out. 
If you have not started the process in sufficient time to allow a new supplier to register your supply so the start date can coincide with the expiry of your current contract, you may be charged by your old supplier at “out of contract” deemed rates until your new supply contract is registered. These rates will usually be higher than your contracted rate.  
 
30. Should I take a meter reading on or around the Supply Start Date? 
Obtaining a correct meter reading, on or close to the transfer date, is very important as it will aid the process of a successful change of supplier.Some suppliers will use the reading as the basis of your final bill from your current supplier, and the opening bill from your new supplier, some will rely on the data flows from the existing supplier. If a reading cannot be obtained, an estimated reading, based on previous read history, will be used. Either way you should have the reading to compare to the figures on your next bill to ensure the figure are representative.  
The new supplier may obtain an actual reading through a visit by a meter reading agent, commonly referred to as a ‘Data Collector’.  
If there are any particular access problems with your premises, you should endeavour to provide as much information as is necessary to ensure the meter can be read. Ie: where the meter is located, access requirements (keys and step ladders for meter cupboards). If this information is not given, a meter reader may visit your site but not be able to read the meter. 
If you are a large consumer and use significant amounts of gas or electricity, (Daily Metered Gas or Half Hourly Electricity meters), the reading will be provided to your suppliers automatically. 
 
31 What happens if I want to cancel my contract during the contract period? 
 
If you are moving premises this is not a problem, most suppliers just require 28 days notice and a chance of tenancy form. (COT). 
 
If you just want to leave to go to a different (perhaps cheaper) supplier: 
Take legal advice. The supply contract will have very specific clauses relating to this situation and they will be weighted in the suppliers favour. Firstly consider what rights do you have to get out of the contract? Can you do so if the supplier is not doing what it promised (for instance if bills are late or inaccurate)?  
If you are a significant user you may have some power to negotiate terms in advance of signing a contract. It will help you to make sure you get a better service if the supplier thinks that you can go somewhere else if they are not performing. 
 
32 What can happen if your current supplier has a contract clause about ‘choosing to match your best offer’? 
 
Talk to you BusinessSwitch account manager about the best way forward.  
The supplier requires you to send in any quotes you have got from alternative suppliers, and then has the right to supply you at the same price as your best quote, in which case the contract will continue and you have to stay with the supplier.  
This is advantageous for the supplier because, even if it chooses not to match the best quote, it gets lots of useful information about competitors’ prices. They then have the opportunity to tie you into a contract you might prefer not to have.  
If you want to change suppliers for service reasons rather than price having the option price match offer may not be reason enough to stay. In this scenario all the control and options are out of your control. 
 
33.What Half Hourly Metered Data? 
Its your meter reading taken every half hour for the last year and presented on a spreadsheet. It is used by suppliers to plot your consumption patterns and price accordingly. A newly installed HH meter will attract higher rates as there is no historic data to price from and so a supplier will add a risk premium to the charges. 
 
 
34. Who is OFGEM? 
OFGEM is the regulator for the gas and electricity industries. Since 1999, OFGEM has taken steps to open up the energy markets and ensure fair competition between suppliers. 
 
35. Who is energywatch? 
Energywatch are the independent watchdog for gas and electricity customers in the UK. Financed by the Department of Trade & Industry, Energywatch offers information, support and advice for consumers in dealing with gas & electricity suppliers. Energywatch is due to be reformed into a new body in 2008.  
36. 
What is Value Added Tax (VAT for short)? 
VAT is applied at the standard rate of 17.5% to the subtotal of your contract charges. 
37. 
What is Climate Change Levy (CCL for short)? 
The CCL came into force in April 2001 and is a government-imposed taxation, which all energy suppliers have the responsibility of collecting from their customers. The money collected will go towards the government meeting their targets on energy efficiency and renewable resources. 
38. 
How will I find out if I am Exempt from CCL? 
Customs & Excise will be able to provide you with this information. You can call them on 0845 010 9000. 
39. 
What is a meter Operator? 
The Meter Operator installs and maintains the sites metering equipment. 
 
40. 
Who is reads my meter? 
The Data Collector will read your meter/s by way of a visit (in and around the start supply date and frequently there afterwards in accordance with your suppliers instructions) or remotely in the case of all HH metered sites 
 
41. 
What is a Data Aggregator? 
The data aggregator retrieves the data from the data collector prior to sending to the Meter Point Administration Service (MPAS) 
 
 
 
Telecoms Information Needed 
Landline alanysis: In order to analyse a company's telecoms spend details of the calling pattern is needed. Your billing should contain information regarding the number of calls and the type of calls made, if your supplier just sends an invoice without billing details it can often be an indicator that your are paying over the odds and your supplier wants to keep the details obscure.  
Mobile call analysis: Mobile phone billing analysis neeed copies of the full bill for as long a period as possible. A full tarriff analysis can be undertaken by scanning 'clean' (not written on) bills for a full 12 month period 
 
 
 
 
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