Research by the Department of Trade and Industry shows that where consumption is unchanged, households are paying less for their gas, electricity and telephones, but the full benefits of those savings are being offset slightly by increases in water bills over the period. Stephen Byers, the trade and industry secretary, said that two years on from the full opening up of competition in the gas and electricity markets, the research proved that consumers were benefiting from real rivalry between firms. In the last two years, electricity companies have started to offer gas services and vice versa.
Several companies have ambitions to become multi-utilities.
There has also been substantial growth of competition in the telecoms market, from both fixed-line and mobile operators. Consumers, however, are not free to choose their water provider. However, water prices did tumble last year.