WEIR COMMENTS ON DARLING’S OFGEM MEETING

 

Commenting on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s meeting with the Chairman of Ofgem today (Monday) Mike Weir MP, SNP Westminster Spokesperson on Energy, said the first question he should ask is why the much vaunted liberalised energy market in the UK was not working for the consumer.

 

Mr Weir said:

 

“This government tell us that the UK has the most liberalised energy market in Europe, but the consumer is seeing no benefit in this. The truth is that the competition is largely illusory. When one of the few large utilities raise prices the others follow suit.

 

“The government’s much repeated advice to switch suppliers is also largely an illusion. If you switch now how can you be sure you won’t be in the same boat a few weeks down the line as your new supplier ups its prices?

 

“The plain truth is that only those who can pay by direct debit can take advantage of the deals that are available. Those on low incomes, pre-payment meter users and those without bank accounts – the very people who need the benefit of lower energy costs – are largely unable to take advantage to such deals.

 

“The Chancellor needs to take real action and a good first step would be to press his colleagues at DBERR to include a measure for meaningful social tariffs in the forthcoming energy bill.”