Select committee: Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee
Conclusion 56
Third Report - Energy pricing and the future of the Energy Market
Published 26 Jul 2022
Paragraph 218
Addressed to Department for Business and Trade
Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee Energy pricing and the future of the Energy Market All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
A systemic failure in regulation left the energy supply market, and ultimately taxpayers, more exposed when the global wholesale energy crisis began. Some energy supplier businesses were allowed to behave in an entirely unacceptable way, without any consequence for their actions. The Government prioritised competition over effective market supervision, failing to recognise the fundamental importance of energy supply and maintain sight over Ofgem’s actions. Ofgem’s failure to regulate and supervise the energy retail market over the last decade significantly contributed to the collapse of 29 energy suppliers since July 2021. Ofgem did not enforce the rules that were in place and did not understand the business models of the suppliers it is mandated to supervise.
From: Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee, Third Report - Energy pricing and the future of the Energy Market (HC 236), paragraph 218, 26 July 2022
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 13 October 2022 (deadline 26 September 2022).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government's response to the Committee's report mostly points to its Energy Price Guarantee and other support, accepts some changes in process, and declines to review the Special Administration Regime or make smart prepayment meters mandatory.
- On the Special Administration Regime, the Government states it "does not intend to review" it, on the basis that such regimes "have worked well", but says it is "taking on board the lessons learned" from Bulb's administration.
- On a mandatory smart meter rollout for prepayment households, BEIS "continues to favour a consumer centric approach" and considers its "current approach remains appropriate", citing research and practical barriers.
- On the Framework Document, BEIS says it is working with Ofgem to review and update it and "we intend to publish this in due course"; Ofgem separately says it expects to publish it by December 2022.
- On a social tariff and the retail market, the Government says it "will consider how price protection needs to evolve" and will "set out next steps on the future of the retail market in due course".