SNP WELCOMES OFGEM ENERGY BANNING COMPANY RECOMMENDATIONS.

SNP WELCOMES OFGEM ENERGY BANNING COMPANY RECOMMENDATIONS.

REGULATORS NEW RULES BACKED BY LEADING CAMPAIGNER.

Proposals from Ofgem that would ban energy companies from charging unjustified prices have been welcomed by the SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson, Mike Weir MP. Mr Weir has been a leading campaigner for action to address concerns that customers were being charged differing amounts according to their payment methods.

Mr Weir, who is a member of the Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee, called for an investigation following the succession of big price rises early last year by the “big six” energy suppliers.

Mr Weir said:

“There were clear grounds for an investigation into how the energy companies were operating. Ofgem’s proposals are a welcome and overdue attempt to tip the balance back towards the interests of customers rather than energy companies.

“I particularly welcome proposals to tackle the high tariffs charged for pre-payment meter customers, which have hit the most vulnerable households the hardest.

“Similarly, steps to help retail customers understand the market more easily, are long overdue.

“The energy market has not been working for the consumer, and the unjustified price differences in particular have been unacceptable.

“The remaining areas of concern I have are the existing high prices, and the way in which the ‘big six’ suppliers follow each other in announcing increases. Last year these companies announced massive price hikes one after the other, like dominos, claiming market conditions and wholesale prices were responsible.

“That argument won’t wash anymore, but I suspect the proof will not be so much in the pudding, as in the energy bills dropping through letterboxes in the months ahead.”