The FPB offers average savings of £1,250 through its partnership with Utility Options, a service that searches for the best gas and electricity prices and is free to members.

The research agency Accent surveyed more than 2,400 small firms across the UK. It discovered that suppliers' performance in the areas of sales, supply switching, contract renewal, meter reading and billing was deemed to be well below expectations.

Inaccurate billing, infrequent meter reading, a lack of information, slow responses to complaints, pressure from suppliers and the apparent lack of skills and experience displayed by their staff were among the key issues for smaller firms.

None of the big six electricity suppliers – EDF Energy, NPower, Powergen, Scottish and Southern Energy and ScottishPower – received even a ‘satisfactory' rating. Of those respondents who were dissatisfied with their bills, over half cited inaccuracy as their primary concern, with estimated meter readings the main culprit. Rectifying these mistakes also appears to be a major issue, with 58% indicating they were unhappy with the complaints process.

"Hands up all those who think that the energy suppliers are benign benefactors giving the very best price for their gas and electricity," said Utility Options' Colin Beake. "No-one? Well you would be right; these suppliers are only interested in making their own profits for their shareholders."

Mr Beake estimates that, taken together, FPB members pay over £1,500,000 more than they need to for their energy supply every year. "This is because electricity and gas supply is always on tap and so most members make the excuse that they are too busy to get to grips with the problem, and push the action needed to the bottom of the pile," he said. "They can use us to shop around, we will do all the work for them."

Last year, FPB member David Monks, of Wildwoods Water Gardens Ltd, in Enfield, Middlesex, saw his electricity bill halved after contacting Utility Options, which sourced an alternative provider, saving him £33,000.