Customer complaints about energy companies have never been higher, according to figures published today by the energy ombudsman.

During the first half of the year complaints more than doubled from the previous six-month total of 10,598 to an all-time high of 22,671.

The figures show that the energy firm complaints also reached a record for a single month, with 4,124 unhappy consumers registering their frustrations in June.

This is an increase of 216 per cent from June 2013.

Billing-related issues continue to be the biggest source of pain for consumers, accounting for 84 per cent (19,009) of the complaints made between January and June 2014.

Chief Energy Ombudsman Lewis Shand Smith said: “The spike in complaints is in part a result of the rising cost of living, but also as a result of consumers becoming more aware of their rights and feeling more empowered to act and fight for a fair deal.”