Labour to reform energy regulator to give more protections after bills crisis
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Energy bill payers have been promised more protections and better customer service as part of plans to reform the regulator Ofgem. The watchdog could get new consumer-facing powers including shortening the eight-week mandatory response time when people complain to their energy supplier.
Customers could also get better access to automatic compensation when things to wrong with their energy bills. Ministers say they want to rebuild trust in the sector after energy price spikes in 2022 led to soaring bills and caused a swathe of smaller suppliers to go bust.
Larger companies have faced accusations of profiteering off the sharp increase in wholesale costs caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Energy consumers minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said the Government has “learned from the energy crisis”. Ms Fahnbulleh said: “We will ensure that working people have access to the best possible support to choose more affordable, smarter, clean energy that is right for them.
“Energy bills are still too high and that is why we worked with suppliers to announce £500 million of additional winter support.”. She said the review of Ofgem would also “set it up for the transition to net zero”. Officials said there will be a focus on improvements to the bill-paying and complaints process.
The review will also look into how Ofgem can address wider issues like making homes more energy efficient with things like heat pumps and solar panels. Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley welcomed the review, adding that “a great deal” has changed since the regulator’s remit was set out 25 years ago.
