Figures from the trade body show 502,817 customers switched supplier in November, up 1.2% on the same month last year.

This brings the total number of switches in 2019 so far to 5.8 million, equalling last year’s number with a month to go.

The figures show 159,409 of the switches were from large providers to small or medium-sized firms.

However, 95,084 households moved from a small or mid-tier supplier to a large firm – although this number is down from the 102,138 reported in October.

Audrey Gallacher, Energy UK’s interim chief executive, said: “This year is set to be another record year for switching – with 5.8 million customers having switched so far, which was the total for the whole of 2018.

“With the cold weather settling in across the country and Christmas just around the corner – a period when most of us spend more time at home with the thermostats turned up – I’d urge everyone to give their supplier a ring or have a look online and make sure they are on the best deal.”

Matt Clemow, chief executive and co-founder of Igloo Energy, said it is positive to see switching figures increasing despite the introduction of Ofgem’s price cap in January, which was meant to give customers on pricey standard rate tariffs a better deal.

Despite the cap reducing the average bill by £75, households can still save more by switching to a competitive fixed rate or variable tariff.

Clemow said: “There are still millions of loyal customers being ripped off by staying with the Big Six. With bills expected to rise, the new year is the perfect opportunity to switch to see better customer service and real long-term savings. However, be wary of being lured in with ludicrous offers which will then leave you high and dry when the introductory deal ends.”