Unbelievable though it may sound, our electricity bills are about to get even more complicated. It’s down to the fact that energy companies may be forced to add Quick Response codes, the small squares full of black-and-white dots like barcodes, to all electricity and gas bills from the end of this year.

We, the customer, will be able to whip out our smart phones, scan the QR code and find out instantly online if we can get our ‘leccy cheaper somewhere else.

It could save money and make it easier to switch suppliers.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “We’re determined to make energy markets work better for consumers and despite all the evidence showing that QR codes on bills would make a real difference to people, energy companies still haven’t done anything about it.

“That’s why we’re acting to make sure people have a quick, straightforward way to compare the best deal for them with a simple swipe of their phone.

“With so many of us using smart phones and tablets nowadays it would be strange if we weren’t using the latest technology to help us save money at home.”

The Government points out that we have more choice than ever, because the number of small energy suppliers has doubled since 2010. It’s made no secret of the fact that it wants to open up the energy market even further by encouraging more firms to come in, make it more competitive and bring prices down.

It also says that switching suppliers has become easier and more than 1.5 million of us have ditched our old company for a new one in the past three months. Well, I’m all for cheaper electricity bills and QR codes are a great idea in theory but what will happen to the thousands of pensioners who don’t have a smart phone and don’t feel comfortable going online to check energy prices?

Typically, the powers-that-be have an answer for that too.

Over at the Department for Energy and Climate Change they suggest people with smart phones (that’s you and me) will be able to help “friends and family less comfortable with technology” (that’s grannies and people who are blind or have learning disabilities) to easily access accurate information”.

Hmm. What about the many old people who live alone and don’t have family or friends they can rely on to sort their QR codes out?

I’m not saying these codes aren’t a good idea but it would be nice to think there was some sort of alternative, rather than just a case of it being if you’re not wired up to the technology, tough luck.

Actually, come to think of it, the big six energy companies are making so much cash, maybe they could pay for helpers to go around showing pensioners how to use QR codes and the internet.

Sadly, bright sparks who come up with ideas like this don’t always remember that not everyone walks around attached to an iPad.