We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. I agree Learn more.

News

NewsPEOPLE POWER CAMPAIGN SEEKS 20,000 PEOPLE TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST IRISH COST OF LIVING CRISIS
PEOPLE POWER CAMPAIGN SEEKS 20,000 PEOPLE TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST IRISH COST OF LIVING CRISIS

PEOPLE POWER CAMPAIGN SEEKS 20,000 PEOPLE TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST IRISH COST OF LIVING CRISIS

Tags: People Power
Last updated by David Liston on

PRESS RELEASE

MONDAY 2 OCTOBER 2017

PEOPLE POWER CAMPAIGN SEEKS 20,000 PEOPLE TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST IRISH COST OF LIVING CRISIS
 

One Big Switch is back, and is looking for 20,000 people to join their Big Cost of Living Switch campaign to fight back against the cost of living crisis currently gripping Ireland.

The Big Cost of Living Switch aims to ease cost of living pressure by empowering consumers and encouraging them to make sure they’re not paying more than they have to on their big-ticket bills.

Ireland is now the second most expensive country in the EU, with goods and services costing 25% above the EU average. Coupled with slow wage growth, this has made for a cost of living crisis.

This crisis was shown evident by a recent Aviva report showing 1 in 4 adults are struggling financially.

The Big Cost of Living Switch will help people fight back and save on their household bills by:

  • Registering 20,000 individuals to the campaign by October 30.
  • Using that combined buying power to negotiate big discounts on Energy and Insurances.
  • Provide these offers to registrants so they can switch or use them to shop around

The campaign is timely given major energy retailers have just announced upcoming rate rises. Making matters worse, yesterday the introduction of the increase in the PSO levy on energy bills.

The PSO levy will be increased for all energy consumers by €25 to €104.50 annually, pressure to a bill that far too many people are still paying too much for simply because they haven’t switched.

Switching from standard electricity and gas offers can save people up to about €300, and recent research has shown that switching home insurers can save some people nearly €300.

One Big Switch Co-Founder Oliver Tattan launched the campaign and commented on the crisis:

“While there’s some degree of economic recovery in Ireland, average earnings are increasing at somewhere between a quarter and third of the rate they did the last time employment was this high.

“People still need to save where they can, and the best way to do this is shopping around for your big ticket items; insurance and energy. A whopping 86% of people didn’t switch their energy last year.

This campaign hopes to increase awareness around switching and unlock offers to help people save

“I would encourage everyone to join the campaign at OneBigSwitch.ie. It’s cost and obligation free!”.

One Big Switch has nearly 100,000 members nationally and uses their combined buying power to unlock group discounted offer on household bills. It’s free to join at www.onebigswitch.ie.

Case studies and comment by Oliver Tattan are available to media outlets

MEDIA ENQUIRIES - David Liston, Director of Campaigns
EMAIL: David@onebigswitch.com

Originally posted on .

Join the conversation

One Big Switch
PEOPLE POWER CAMPAIGN SEEKS 20,000 PEOPLE TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST IRISH COST OF LIVING CRISIS

Share your views with other members. 

Want to leave a comment? or .
Read our moderation policy here.
Someone
Someone from D commented:

regulator and one big switch not really doing the job . energy estimates should be clear and concise eg it should list the cost of 500kw of energy a month per provider including unit charge , discounts , standing charge , carbon charges and vat . the amount per deal of 500 kw should have taken all charges discounts etc into the equation and arrive at a nett price per kw for gas and electricity . the regulator should enforce such pricing stats as well. 

Someone
Someone from D commented:

sorry to clarify above , 1496 units @ 0.038421 a unit = 57.20 carbon tax at .0037 a unit = 05.53 supply charge 55 days at .2189 a day =12.03 vat at 13.5% =10.09 total cost =84.86 divide by1496=.056724 cent a unit. the actual cost of a unit. why will the regulator and the companies make comparisons this simple. 

Someone
Someone from D commented:

Hi I've joined one-big _switch.. How do I go about switching to the gas and electric deal Thanks 

Someone
Someone from WX commented:

I changed to Prepower from Airtricity. Elect was put up soon after we changed, and new cost average is €50!!! We are very careful how we manage our bills too. Coal €40 pw, as well as wood ,€25 per week', 

Someone
Someone from C commented:

Im a mother of 3 boys the cost of living for me is everything i have every week its leaving me on the bread line gas electric car braud band tv its just not rite ..... im afraid to make thd switch incase its a scame and end up loosing more thar i wouldnt have... 

Mary
Mary from WX commented:

Two old trying to survive cost health insurance running a motor car plus trying to hear and finding imppsdible 

Someone
Someone from D commented:

1.2 mil people to get xmas bonuses from social welfare. What about working people. Most of us in private sector get nothing. If we try to do a bit extra work for xmas we get hit 42% in tax. Shame 

Someone
Someone from C commented:

What about the rip off pre pay power company . 

Peter
Peter from MH commented:

I would hope that more people get behind this campaign to reduce spiraling costs, and would encourage people to lobby against the ever increasing motor insurance premiums. Peter 

Someone
Someone from KE commented:

Hope that this will help we ate both retired and are on a fixed income so need to save money when we can the utilities seem to go up each year but we do not get a rise until the year after so its not much help to us only we have a garden and hsve our own veggies we woukd be able to keep going and our children help us out as well 

Someone
Someone from LK commented:

Trying to get quotes for car insurance, but don't know how big switch helps me out. I have already registered to your site. 

Comment Guidelines