FAMILIES are being urged to shop around for a better energy deal after a report suggested many could save themselves hundreds of pounds each year.

Latest data shows homes in East Renfrewshire could save an average of £420, with potential savings of £313 in Renfrewshire. 

Kate Morrison, energy policy team manager at Citizens Advice Scotland, said: “Consumers can have higher energy bills due to a number of factors, such as network costs, homes that are less energy efficient and the prevalence of electric heating. We encourage people to shop around.”

The UK Government is to introduce an energy price cap later this year in a move officials claim will save millions of families £100 a year.

However, comparison sites uSwitch and Which? said figures compiled using data from Ofgem and the departments of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) show consumers could save far more by switching supplier.

Alex Neill, managing director of home products and services at Which?, said: “Before the energy price cap comes in, anyone still suffering on a poor value standard tariff should take five minutes to compare and switch as they could save hundreds of pounds a year.”