Push to simplify confusing bills

Many customers complain that their bills are confusing and unclear

New guidelines aimed at making water, gas and electricity bills easier to understand have been put in place.

The voluntary rules encourage companies to produce clearer and less confusing household bills, the British Standards Institution (BSI) said.

The BSI said it had drawn up the guidelines in response to complaints from consumers about bills which were difficult to understand.

The guidelines also apply to bills for internet and mobile phone services.

'Substantial benefits'

Companies signing up to the guidelines must make it clear on each bill exactly how much money is owed by the customer, the BSI said.

The UK standards body added that companies should also make it clear what period of time was covered by the bill, and what services had been provided.

"This new billing standard launched by the BSI offers the opportunity for streamlining and improving the billing process and could bring substantial benefits to both industry and the consumer," said Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks.

Some 40,000 people complained to consumer watchdog Energy watch about their energy bills last year.

"We support this BSI standard because it gives consumers, for the first time, a real prospect of getting an accurate and timely picture of their energy use," said Energy watch chief executive Allan Asher.