Proposals to protect small businesses against misselling from energy brokers have been backed by several independent bodies. Ofgem say businesses will receive support, should they feel they are getting a bad deal.

James Constant, Director of uSwitchforbusiness.com said: “In the interests of transparency we would also like to see Ofgem place the onus on suppliers to justify any attempt to block or object to a switch.

“For many years Britain’s businesses have been getting a raw deal in the energy market. All attention has been on what’s been happening to consumers, but this announcement today shows that Ofgem is rolling its sleeves up and getting ready to get stuck into the business energy market too. This is very welcome as all businesses deserve the same transparency and help as consumers in a market that is particularly difficult and filled with barriers to switching.”

In order to regain trust Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus said power suppliers needed to make a better name for themselves, despite promising changes made by Ofgem: “The ‘protection gap’ for small businesses needs to be closed. Suppliers must go beyond the requirements outlined by Ofgem to provide their customers with better information and be more transparent with energy prices.”

Ofgem’s reforms will set out new standards of conduct, with powers to impose financial penalties to improve supplier behaviour.