Recommendations & Conclusions
7 items
2
Recommendation
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Not Addressed
The Government should immediately establish an Energy Data Sharing Taskforce involving energy suppliers, government departments, HMRC, local authorities, the National Health Service and relevant third parties. This should establish clear and effective mechanisms for data sharing with the specific ambition to improve the delivery of support schemes, enable the introduction …
Government response. The government's response acknowledges the importance of data sharing and describes ongoing work with various departments and an existing industry working group, but it does not commit to establishing the specific 'Energy Data Sharing Taskforce' as recommended.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
14
Conclusion
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Not Addressed
Ofgem should introduce an ambitious Energy Debt Relief Scheme, funded by windfall profits made by energy network companies, that has broad eligibility and provides support automatically, without consumers having to apply or agree a repayment plan. The regulator should consult, by spring 2026, on a more permanent scheme to provide …
Government response. The government's response focuses on Ofgem's ongoing price control reforms (RIIO-3) to prevent future windfall profits and manage existing debt recovery mechanisms, but does not address the recommendation for Ofgem to introduce an Energy Debt Relief Scheme or consult on …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
17
Conclusion
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Not Addressed
Ofgem should set the Energy Price Cap at an equal level for all customers, regardless of their chosen payment method, taking effect from the price cap period January to March 2026. It must also ensure that customers who are in energy debt are given greater flexibility to switch their supplier …
Government response. The government's response explains the existing role of the Energy Price Cap and Ofgem's responsibility for its methodology, and highlights the Warm Homes Plan to make bills affordable, but does not address the specific recommendations for Ofgem to equalize the …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
19
Conclusion
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Not Addressed
Ofgem should exempt customers from having to pay the gas standing charge if they convert their home to electrical heating and no longer otherwise need a gas service. They should also work with retailers so that the accumulation of standing charges over the summer months by pre- payment meters do …
Government response. The government's response mentions a consultation to reduce standing charges by moving Warm Home Discount costs to the unit rate and discusses future reviews related to gas disconnections and network transition, but does not address the specific recommendations for Ofgem …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
28
Conclusion
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Not Addressed
All small and micro sized businesses should be covered by the Energy Ombudsman to provide a streamlined and widely understood process for dispute resolution across the entire sector. The maximum pay award that the Energy Ombudsman can grant to businesses should be increased to £50,000, to reflect the scale of …
Government response. The government response does not address the recommendation to cover all small and micro businesses by the Energy Ombudsman or to increase its maximum pay award to £50,000. It focuses on strengthening the EO's general powers and implementation of rulings …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
32
Recommendation
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Not Addressed
In its response to this Report, the Government should clarify how exactly it will fund the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme and other support measures to reduce industrial energy costs in the Industrial Strategy. It must also clearly explain how it will support businesses prior to their introduction in 2027. (Recommendation, …
Government response. The government's response outlines various support measures but fails to clarify how the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will be funded or how businesses will be supported prior to its introduction in 2027, as specifically requested by the committee.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
35
Recommendation
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c…
Not Addressed
We recommend that Ofgem require energy suppliers to clearly itemise and publish online all non-commodity costs charged on business energy bills to ensure full transparency of all costs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 118) 49
Government response. The government's response discusses general protections in the non-domestic energy market and the regulation of brokers but does not specifically address the recommendation for Ofgem to require energy suppliers to itemise and publish all non-commodity costs online.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero