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Select Committee · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

The cost of energy

Status: Open Opened: 18 Feb 2025 9 recommendations 26 conclusions 1 report

In October last year the Committee published its i nterim report on the high costs of energy in the UK making recommendations on how costs fall on consumers in the retail side of the sector. In the second part of this inquiry, the Committee is looking at where costs arise in the system that result …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost crisis HC 736 29 Oct 2025 35 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
10 Conclusion 5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c… Rejected

Cold Weather Payment criteria are too high and payments inadequate for vulnerable households.

The criteria for triggering the Cold Weather Payment is set too high and does not reflect the impact that extreme cold can have on vulnerable households. Inadequate and unpredictable payments, sometimes made weeks after a period of cold weather, do not give vulnerable households confidence to use their heating. This …

Government response. The government states it keeps policies under review but defends the current Cold Weather Payment criteria, explaining that the seven consecutive day period for below-freezing temperatures is considered a clear and reasonable measure of sustained cold.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
34 Recommendation 5th Report - Tackling the energy cost c… Rejected

Introduce caps on business energy out-of-contract rates, deposits, and a 14-day cooling-off period.

We recommend that Ofgem introduce a cap on out-of-contract rates and deposits that can be charged by suppliers to agree or renew business energy contracts. It should also introduce a mandatory 14-day cooling off period following a business energy bill first being issued by a supplier, where a business can …

Government response. The government supports Ofgem exploring options for caps on out-of-contract rates and deposits. However, it effectively rejects the mandatory 14-day cooling-off period, citing its complexity and potential for increased costs, suggesting dispute resolution as the appropriate alternative.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Oral evidence sessions

8 sessions
Date Witnesses
17 Mar 2026 Jonathan Mills CB · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Michael Shanks MP · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero View ↗
4 Mar 2026 Akshay Kaul · Ofgem, Claire Dykta · National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO), Fintan Slye · National Energy System Operator (NESO), Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem, Jonathan Brearley · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero View ↗
21 Jan 2026 Dr Alastair Martin · Flexitricity, Dr Waqquas Bukhsh · University of Strathclyde, Katrina Young · Energy Systems Catapult, Lawrence Slade · Energy Networks Association (ENA), Professor Jacopo Torriti · University of Reading, Sarah Honan · The Association for Decentralised Energy View ↗
10 Dec 2025 Adam Bell · Stonehaven, Ana Musat · RenewableUK, Professor Michael Grubb · UCL, Susie Elks · E3G, Tom Edwards · Cornwall Insight, Tom Glover · RWE View ↗
15 Oct 2025 Andrew Ward · Scottish Power Customer Business, Chris Norbury · E.ON UK, Chris O'Shea · Centrica, David Buttress · OVO Energy, Rachel Fletcher · Octopus Energy, Simone Rossi · EDF View ↗
9 Jul 2025 Arjan Geveke · Energy Intensive Users Group, Beth Barker · Aldersgate Group, David Mitchell · Chemical Industries Association, David Wigham · Admiral Taverns; and representing British Beer and Pub Association, Paul Wilson · Federation of Small Business, Verity Davidge · Make UK View ↗
25 Jun 2025 Alex Belsham-Harris · Citizens Advice, Beth Martin · Ofgem, Dr Raj Roy · Centrica, Ed Dodman · Ombudsman Services, Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem, Jonathan Lenton · Energy Ombudsman, Katie Watts · MoneySavingExpert View ↗
4 Jun 2025 Angus McCarey · Uswitch, Caroline Abrahams · Age UK, Dhara Vyas · Energy UK, Maria Booker · Fair By Design, Matt Copeland · National Energy Action, Merlin Hyman · Regen View ↗