Consumer Focus piles pressure on Ofgem

A report by the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee has revealed the level of mistrust consumers have for energy companies. Consumer Focus want the regulator, Ofgem, to do more […]

A report by the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee has revealed the level of mistrust consumers have for energy companies. Consumer Focus want the regulator, Ofgem, to do more to help customers. Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: “We need Ofgem to take a firm grip on the market and set it on the right course for the enormous changes we will all face.”

After the recent onslaught of energy price rises, the consumer champions have called for measures that will help reduce the impact on those in fuel poverty. Mr O’Connor said: “The regulator must be able to say whether energy prices are fair – if not the only option is a Competition Commission investigation.

“Energy customers are expected to swallow price rises of hundreds of pounds despite huge questions hanging over whether the scale of hikes is justified. It is more important than ever that customers can tell if they are paying a fair price as the £200 billion of energy investment expected over the next decade will add further to bills.”

Consumer Focus believes reform to the energy market should include a number of new measures including:

-a competition review of the structure of the energy market.

-measures to boost the number of new entrants to the retail energy market.

-a strategy to help cut consumers’ bills and help those in fuel poverty.

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