DUDLEY'S leader has signed up for an energy saving scheme and urged others to do the same.

The council launched its latest big switch campaign this week, which encourages residents to join a collective to see if they can save money on their energy bills through an auction.

During the auction, energy companies will compete to offer the best tariff to those who have signed up to the scheme and residents will have the option of switching their energy supplier to the successful company.

Once the auction has taken place, the successful energy companies will write to registrants with their offer shortly afterwards. People can then choose to switch if they wish and enter into a new contract with the energy provider.

Residents can also compare their current tariff with other energy companies on the market, using any of the energy comparison sites available online.

In the most recent auction, which took place in June, more than 90 people saved approximately £21,000 in total by switching their energy supplier.

Councillor David Sparks, leader of the council, said: “This is a scheme that I strongly support as it’s about bringing communities together to try and save collectively on their fuel bills, which are ever-increasing.

"So far, nearly 3,000 people have signed up to register in four previous auctions and on average the people that have switched have saved approximately £85,000 collectively. "This is a massive saving which illustrates the benefits this scheme can bring. I would encourage all residents to sign up now.”

Registration is free and can be done by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345 or visiting www.dudley.gov.uk and following the link to the big switch.

A recent energy bill is required for registration.