Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
7
Conclusion
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Accepted
For all these reasons we believe that reducing energy costs for everyone should be made the top policy priority. (Conclusion, Paragraph 33)
Government response. The government explicitly states that reducing energy costs is a top priority and outlines existing and planned measures, including Autumn Budget bill reductions, the clean power mission, Great British Energy, and the Warm Homes Plan, to address this goal.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
20
Conclusion
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Accepted
Ofgem should reassess the outcomes of its Targeted Charging Review and consult on how increased network costs resulting from a sharp increase in investment in electricity infrastructure could be allocated more broadly, including across wider parts of the energy system. It should complete this process by summer 2026. (Recommendation, Paragraph …
Government response. The government confirms that Ofgem is conducting a Cost Allocation and Recovery Review (CARR), which includes electricity network charges and investment costs, to determine how fixed energy system costs are allocated. Ofgem published a Call for Input in Summer 2025 …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
25
Conclusion
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Accepted
For most consumers, the Energy Ombudsman provides a good service and we welcome proposals to strengthen its powers and make referrals automatic. However, without statutory backing, the Energy Ombudsman remains toothless, which undermines the confidence of consumers to seek redress and emboldens suppliers to ignore its rulings. Thousands of consumers …
Government response. The government agrees that too many Energy Ombudsman (EO) rulings are not implemented and is proposing to create an explicit legal obligation on suppliers to implement rulings and to explicitly designate the EO through legislation. Decisions on financial penalties for …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
29
Conclusion
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Accepted
High energy costs pose an existential threat to many UK industries and are among the greatest concerns facing businesses of all sizes. The UK’s industrial electricity prices are the highest in Europe and around four times higher than the US and Canada, which places UK businesses at a severe competitive …
Government response. The government acknowledges the challenges of high industrial electricity prices and outlines existing support, including increasing electricity network charge discounts to 90% for energy-intensive firms and delivering the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme to reduce electricity costs for up to …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
33
Conclusion
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Accepted
We are greatly concerned by exploitative practices in the non-domestic energy market, especially instances of mis-selling and pressure selling, as well as excessive deposits and out-of-contract rates. These practices exploit resource-poor business owners who often lack the time and knowledge to procure a good energy deal. (Conclusion, Paragraph 116)
Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's concern about exploitative practices in the non-domestic energy market and details ongoing actions, including support for microbusinesses, dispute resolution via the Energy Ombudsman, and plans to appoint Ofgem to regulate energy brokers.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero