Laziness adds £1bn a year to household bills, research finds

People who fail to research cheaper options for household bills spend more than £800 too much annually

Couples spend too much on household bills when they don't switch supplier

Householders are needlessly spending at least £1bn a year because they dislike change, according to research.

In a study of 2,000 adults, one in four admitted their unwillingness to look beyond their current provider for better-value options on their household bills has cost them money.

They are frittering away £71 a month on average on domestic bills - the equivalent of £1bn in unnecessary expenses - it is estimated.

​Aleks Habdank, of TalkTalk Consumer, which commissioned the study, said: “Many of us admit to being creatures of habit. And while things like sticking to our side of the bed won’t affect us financially, having the same attitude towards things like where we shop or our TV or phone provider comes at a heavy cost.”

Consumers are being urged to consider other options for utilities when their contracts come up for renewal.

Previous surveys have found British people fritter away £107 a month, equating to nearly £80,000 over the course of an adult lifetime, on more expensive tariffs.