The method, according to Consumer Focus, sees half of people immediately change again as they felt ‘pressurised’ has been at the centre of the debate on dodgy sales techniques by energy companies for the best part of a decade.

As well as Consumer Focus criticism door step selling has also been attacked by MPs on the influential Energy and Climate Change Committee.

The move by British Gas also follows a decision by Scottish and Southern Energy to end doorstep selling after admitting misleading its customers earlier this year.

The firm admitted the decision was taken as door step selling was no longer seen as a ‘sustainable’ business practice.

British Gas managing director, Ian Peters, said: “Doorstep selling, in its current form, is no longer a sustainable way to engage or build a relationship with customers.

“We want the energy advice we give our customers to be trusted and delivered at a time and place that is convenient to them.”

Consumer Focus director of external affairs, Adam Scorer, said: “This is the sort of move responsible companies make when it becomes clear consumers are unhappy with the way they do business.

“For over a decade cold call doorstep sales have led to hundreds of thousands of people paying more for their energy after switching to a worse deal.”

Luke Walsh

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