Edward Davey's response to Ofgem鈥檚 'countdown to a simpler, clearer, fairer energy market'
鈥淕overnment stands firmly behind Ofgem鈥檚 retail market reforms and we are keen for Ofgem to press ahead with implementing these as soon as possible."
Secretary of State Edward Davey said:
鈥淕overnment stands firmly behind Ofgem鈥檚 retail market reforms and we are keen for Ofgem to press ahead with implementing these as soon as possible.
鈥淔or too long, consumers have felt the brunt of rising energy bills, and we know that people are really feeling the squeeze in managing their household budgets.
鈥淭hat is why this Government is determined to do everything it can to help consumers get a better deal on their energy bills including taking powers through the Energy Bill to support Ofgem鈥檚 proposals.
鈥淭hese reforms will put the consumer firmly back in the driving seat with customers automatically placed on the lowest variable rate tariff unless they choose otherwise.
鈥淪uppliers will be required to limit the number of tariffs they offer to 4, and to automatically move millions of customers on poor value 鈥榙ead鈥� tariffs to the cheapest standard variable tariff for them.
鈥淐learer information and advice will have to be displayed on bills so that consumers can easily compare prices between suppliers in order to switch to a better deal.
鈥淭he plans set out today will mean that all households can get the best deal for their gas or electricity no later than the summer of 2014.
鈥淭his all comes on top of the action we are already taking to help people worried by rising energy costs.
鈥淲e have made it easier for people to club together through collective switching or purchasing to get a better deal on their energy.
鈥淗elp has been made available to support the most vulnerable households, with over 1 million pensioners getting 拢130 off their fuel bills this winter as part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, with the wider scheme helping around 2m households.
鈥淲e are boosting the energy efficiency of our buildings through the Green Deal, so that homes and businesses are better insulated and don鈥檛 waste as much energy.
鈥淎nd in the long term, we are reducing our reliance on expensive gas imports, by incentivising investment in a new generation of clean home-grown power, which will help us to keep the lights on and ensure bills are affordable.鈥�