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Small firms are vulnerable to unscrupulous energy suppliers because they are not entitled to the same level of transparency as domestic consumers, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) claims.

Problems cited by the BCC include the lack of any regulatory requirement for energy companies to publish their tariffs.

Unlike ordinary customers, who are allowed to transfer energy suppliers every 28 days, firms are forced to sign up to contracts which can last as long as five years, the BCC complains.

The group also says domestic customers cannot be back-billed on a period of more than a year whereas companies do not face this kind of protection.

According to the business group, energy regulator Ofgem should crack down on the practices employed by energy companies when dealing with small firms.

David Frost, director general of the group, says it is 'totally unacceptable' businesses are treated in this way.

The chairman of the Commons Business Select Committee Peter Luff has complained in the light of price rises that British energy suppliers do not face enough competition.

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