New data from Cornwall Energy has revealed that the big six energy firms have lost 3.6 per cent of their overall market share in the last year.

The report also shows that the big six dual fuel market share has fallen by 3.9 per cent compared to last year whilst independents reached 15 per cent for the first time, up from 0.6 per cent five years ago.

In the last 12 months almost 1.45 million energy customer accounts left the big six and 1.87 million went to independent providers, due to an additional 420,000 energy accounts being added as a result of new homes connecting to the grid.

Cornwall Energy director Robert Buckley said: “The new data shows a major improvement on the apathy of five years ago. The independents have achieved dramatic results in driving engagement and encouraging people to switch.”

First Utility continues to be the largest of the independent suppliers with 4.1 per cent of the dual fuel market share, and 3.4 per cent of the overall market share so far in 2016.

First Utility UK managing director Ed Kamm said: “The significant growth of independents shows that people are continuing to turn away from the established order in search of better deals and services.”

The report follows news from Cornwall Energy data in September 2015 that showed collective overall market share for the independents has risen by 50 per cent since 2014.