Recommendations & Conclusions
9 items
4
Recommendation
Third Report - Energy pricing and the f…
Not Addressed
We recommend that Ofgem implements the recommendations of the Oxera report in full to ensure that it has the proper frameworks for defining consumer interests and competition. We call on Ofgem to carry out rigorous quantitative impact analysis to underpin regulatory reforms and to make these publicly available for scrutiny. …
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We recommend that Ofgem implements the recommendations of the Oxera report in full to ensure that it has the proper frameworks for defining consumer interests and competition. We call on Ofgem to carry out rigorous quantitative impact analysis to underpin regulatory reforms and to make these publicly available for scrutiny. Ofgem must take urgent steps to improve the quality of its governance and the effectiveness of its Board by proactively challenging decisions made within the organisation, ensuring it has the necessary information and sufficient time to vigorously deliberate issues and make evidence-based decisions.
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Government response AI summary
The response outlines the contents of a report to the Committee, not the specific actions recommended regarding Ofgem's frameworks, impact analysis, governance, and Board effectiveness.
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Department for Business and Trade
5
Conclusion
Third Report - Energy pricing and the f…
Not Addressed
Even when matters of poor practice and potential breaches of licence conditions were directly reported to Ofgem, the regulator repeatedly failed to use its enforcement powers in any meaningful way. This was at the expense of customers who Ofgem is mandated to protect. Telephoning a supplier to tell it to …
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Even when matters of poor practice and potential breaches of licence conditions were directly reported to Ofgem, the regulator repeatedly failed to use its enforcement powers in any meaningful way. This was at the expense of customers who Ofgem is mandated to protect. Telephoning a supplier to tell it to stop using customer credit Energy pricing and the future of the energy market 75 balances to drive business growth is neither an appropriate nor formal enough action from a regulator which, given its repeated unwillingness to use its enforcement powers effectively, rendered itself futile.
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Government response AI summary
The response only indicates that the government is addressing progress in respect of such companies, but does not address the core criticism of Ofgem's lack of enforcement.
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Department for Business and Trade
9
Recommendation
Third Report - Energy pricing and the f…
Not Addressed
We call on the administrators of Avro Energy to request that the Insolvency Service consider bringing action against the former Directors of Avro Energy specifically and to update us on what, if any action, can be taken to recover customers’ money.
Government response AI summary
Ofgem will develop an annual report for the Committee that includes measures to ensure effective accountability and transparency, key decisions, performance issues and policy concerns, a breakdown of the allocation of Ofgem resources, and a summary of the compliance and enforcement action taken in response …
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Department for Business and Trade
10
Recommendation
Third Report - Energy pricing and the f…
Not Addressed
We further call on the Government to review whether regulators such as Ofgem should be given new powers to bring enforcement action for unfit conduct by energy company directors given the very limited scope for The Insolvency Service to do so. We consider this to be particularly important for energy …
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We further call on the Government to review whether regulators such as Ofgem should be given new powers to bring enforcement action for unfit conduct by energy company directors given the very limited scope for The Insolvency Service to do so. We consider this to be particularly important for energy supply companies given the handling of customer monies and the importance of security of supply.
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Government response AI summary
Response discusses why they are not replacing standing charges with a volumetric alternative based on usage.
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Department for Business and Trade
13
Conclusion
Third Report - Energy pricing and the f…
Not Addressed
We would encourage more robust lines of communication and a clear delineation of responsibilities between Ofgem and BEIS to ensure transparency and effective scrutiny.
Government response AI summary
The government states that this is a matter for Government.
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Department for Business and Trade
19
Conclusion
Third Report - Energy pricing and the f…
Not Addressed
The Supplier of Last Resort process ensured that customers of failed energy companies maintained their supply. However, customers carried the risk of failure, while suppliers exited facing minimal costs, and in some cases, even made a financial return. Suppliers of last resort raised pressing concerns about administrators of Energy pricing …
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The Supplier of Last Resort process ensured that customers of failed energy companies maintained their supply. However, customers carried the risk of failure, while suppliers exited facing minimal costs, and in some cases, even made a financial return. Suppliers of last resort raised pressing concerns about administrators of Energy pricing and the future of the energy market 77 failed energy companies not acting in the best interest of customers. The delay in sharing customer information to suppliers of last resort, which led to inaccurate bills and interruptions in retrieving credit balances, is unreasonable.
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Government response AI summary
The response discusses social tariffs and Ofgem's plans to refine distributional analysis, but doesn't address the concerns about the Supplier of Last Resort process, administrators acting in the best interest of customers, or the delay in sharing customer information.
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Department for Business and Trade
22
Recommendation
Third Report - Energy pricing and the f…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Government implements a hedging strategy at Bulb Energy. In the meantime, we ask that the Government provides us with detailed analysis of the cost implications for BEIS and the taxpayer of its decision not to purchase hedges to date.
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We recommend that the Government implements a hedging strategy at Bulb Energy. In the meantime, we ask that the Government provides us with detailed analysis of the cost implications for BEIS and the taxpayer of its decision not to purchase hedges to date.
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Government response AI summary
The government indicates industry is making progress on implementation of market-wide half-hourly settlement, which Ofgem believes will be an important enabler of a more flexible, low carbon and low-cost energy system. This is not relevant to the recommendation about Bulb Energy.
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Department for Business and Trade
25
Recommendation
Third Report - Energy pricing and the f…
Not Addressed
Ofgem should publish detailed proposals that will ensure energy suppliers have a higher level of capital adequacy in the future which is in line with growth. Financial stress testing and monitoring of suppliers’ risk management strategies should be conducted by Ofgem as standard. Where individual or systemic problems are identified, …
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Ofgem should publish detailed proposals that will ensure energy suppliers have a higher level of capital adequacy in the future which is in line with growth. Financial stress testing and monitoring of suppliers’ risk management strategies should be conducted by Ofgem as standard. Where individual or systemic problems are identified, Ofgem should work proactively with suppliers to resolve them. We recommend that Ofgem upskills its workforce to ensure it has the appropriate expertise to implement these provisions in an effective and proportionate manner. We ask Ofgem to publish a plan on how it intends to do this.
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Government response AI summary
The government intends to refresh the data used for distributional analysis, and all updated assessments will be shared with the Department and Committee when available.
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Department for Business and Trade
29
Recommendation
Third Report - Energy pricing and the f…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Government brings forward legislation to increase the frequency of Renewables Obligation payment deadlines. The Government and Ofgem should work together to implement this change in a way that provides a suitable period of adjustment for suppliers.
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We recommend that the Government brings forward legislation to increase the frequency of Renewables Obligation payment deadlines. The Government and Ofgem should work together to implement this change in a way that provides a suitable period of adjustment for suppliers.
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Government response AI summary
The response discusses Ofgem's data collection and analysis of self-disconnection among smart-PPM customers and existing rules and guidance, but does not address bringing forward legislation to increase the frequency of Renewables Obligation payment deadlines.
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Department for Business and Trade