GREEDY energy companies are getting money back from families this year thanks to a change in the way Ofgem works out the price cap.
Although families are confronted with crippling bills this wintergas and electricity suppliers have received a windfall this year to cover their own rising costs.
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The hidden extra is to help companies, already reaping huge profits, deal with fluctuations in wholesale prices for energy during the year.
This year, ofgem claims suppliers need the compensation because of the high winter costs.
Campaigner Howard Cox, founder of Fair-FuelUK, called for the loophole to be closed, saying it should not be used to further fill the bulging pockets of energy companies.
He said: “All veiled openings for energy companies to manipulate the watchdog’s price control mechanisms must be blocked.
“Ofgem must ensure that it is consumers who should be protected from changes in price caps.”
The sum helps companies such as E.ONwhich raised £3.4 billion in the first half of the year, and SSEwho made £1.2 billion, to cover their costs.
It also means suppliers can recoup those costs in six months instead of waiting a year.
Experts say the timing is bad, but it will help prevent suppliers from going out of business, which will only cost customers more in the long run.
Ofgem said: “This is all in the interest of stabilizing the market and ensuring that consumers and suppliers pay a fair price.”