FUMING fuel customers are ditching the Big Six energy giants in droves for smaller independent suppliers, according to research revealed yesterday.

British Gas, EDF, Npower, Eon, Scottish Power and SSE have collectively lost 660,000 customers in the last year, according to analysis from Cornwall Energy.

One in eight British households is now powered by an independent fuel provider.

But a state-owned energy provider would “be the best way to go” as it would simplify the system that currently overcharges or forces customers to scrabble around for deals, Campaign for Public Ownership director Neil Clark insisted.

“The only real change will come when nationalisation is made a real possibility,” he said.

“The best model would be cheaper and state-owned, as life was simpler when we had a state monopoly.

“The time and energy spent in switching around is never factored in. People have more important things to do with their lives.”

Independent suppliers expanded their market share from 9 per cent to 13.4 per cent in the last year alone, resulting in the Big Six loosening their grip on vast swathes of the country.

Data from the Cornwall region shows that established energy firms lost 115,000 dual-fuel accounts to independents in the three months to July 31.

However, seventh-largest supplier First Utility added 275,000 new customers over the same period.

A lack of competition has resulted in the Big Six becoming complacent and customers paying over the odds for electricity and gas, according to Which? executive director Richard Lloyd.

“It’s no wonder customers are starting to leave them in droves,” Mr Lloyd added.