20.09.11
Pledge on energy - Chris Huhne
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne will pledge to ‘get tough’ over energy prices at the Liberal Democrats Conference today. Huhne wants to make it easier for customers to understand which deal is best for them and how to switch to a different provider.
Other aims include giving more powers to the regulator Ofgem to manage firms which breach licensing conditions, and allowing firms a right of appeal instead of being referred to the Competition Commission, which can be a lengthy process.
Huhne will say: “We are determined to get tough with the big six energy companies to ensure that the consumer gets the best possible deal. We want simpler tariffs, requiring energy companies to tell you whether you could buy more cheaply on another tariff.
“It's not fair that big energy companies can push their prices up for the vast majority of their consumers, who do not switch, while introducing cut-throat offers for new customers that stop small firms entering the market. That looks to me like predatory pricing. It must and will stop.”
Huhne also highlighted that people living in fuel poverty should be the priority of the Government’s Green Deal, which is to be implemented next year.
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