By Jonathan Russell
Energy suppliers are overcharging their consumers by more than £1.6 billion, according to Consumer Focus.
The consumer group said that energy providers should act at once to apply fair charges to consumers and pass on the benefits of falling wholesale prices.
Deputy chief executive Philip Cullum stated: "Consumers have feared for months that the big six suppliers might not have passed on the full cuts in wholesale energy prices, but the companies claimed to have acted fairly. Our new research for the first time shows the reality."
Consumer Focus said electricity costs should be at least 3.1 per cent cheaper and gas bills at least 7.4 per cent less in order to reflect the lessening wholesale costs.
In May, the organisation said that the government needs to invest £3 billion a year if it intends to eliminate fuel poverty by 2016.
Consumer Focus energy expert Jonathan Stearn said that the government's plans for energy efficiency were not well prepared enough to be successful.
