23m 'switch to cut costs'

Britons are choosing to leave product providers if a better deal comes along, MoneyExpert says.

Some 212,000 contracts with providers were dropped per day in areas such as telecoms, mobile phones and internet over the second half of 2006, contributing to a total of 39.075 million, the group reveals.

This means that 23 million customers are taking an active stance to find a better deal, claims the company.

The figures equate to one in seven households swapping brands during the period, with the most popular areas being gas, electricity and internet deals, according to the body.

Activity like this marks a victory for the consumer, says MoneyExpert chief executive, Sean Gardner.

"No provider is safe from the axe if they don't have a competitive product or good customer service. Customers aren't shirking from moving on if they're not happy," he said.

Last year, money charity Credit Action suggested the average household debt stood at £8,765 excluding mortgages.

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