Consumers could be automatically switched to better value energy tariffs under a plan to make the system fairer.
The government says it wants to stop suppliers putting loyal customers on to the worst deals when their current contracts come to an end.
It will be part of a wider plan to create a greener energy system, due to be unveiled next week.
But one switching site warned the tariff proposals risked "lulling people into a false sense of security".
According to some estimates, millions of households are currently stuck on their energy supplier's standard variable tariff, likely paying hundreds of pounds more than they should be.
The government says it wants to crack down on this so-called "loyalty penalty" through two possible routes it plans to test:
- Opt-in switching - where consumers are offered a simple method of switching to a cheaper tariff if their initial contract has ended
- Or opt-out switching - where, unless they choose not to be, consumers are automatically switched to a competitive new contract if their initial contract has ended
"We do not believe that energy companies should be able to roll over contracts indefinitely or punish long standing, loyal customers," a Whitehall source said. BBC.
