20th October 2014 Earlier today news broke that the website The Big Deal (thisisthebigdeal.com) had uncovered an alleged culture amongst the UK’s price comparison of “hiding” the best energy deals. The Big Deal’s investigation focussed on the domestic energy market and players such as Compare the Market, Go Compare, uSwitch, MoneySupermarket and Confused. The Big […]
Ecotricity consider challenge to Hinkley Point C
In a scarcely credible development in the on-going nuclear / subsidy / cost row, Ecotricity, the independent green energy supplier that for many years has benefitted from subsidy regimes in support of wind energy, is considering a legal challenge against the European Commission’s decision to approve the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant. Dale Vince, the […]
CMA – The Market Commentators Part 2
In the latest in our series analysing the responses of key players to the CMA investigation into the UK energy market we again focus on the market commentators and their thoughts on the underlying problems of the energy market. Three main themes emanate from the comments: The market structure, the transfer price and energy company profits […]
Citigroup’s damning prediction for the Big 6 energy suppliers
As the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into the energy market continues more bad news has hit the Big 6 energy suppliers, with Citigroup forecasting British Gas, Scottish Power, SSE, EDF Energy, nPower and E.ON can look forward to losing up to a quarter of their current customer bases by the end of the decade. […]
UK Leads the Way on Renewable Generation Growth
Climate change talks loom Despite its unpopularity with the conservative administration, wind energy has been the driving force behind the UK’s rise up the rankings of a global measure for ‘climate-friendly’ countries. The 34% increase in renewable energy generation, the highest growth amongst the G20 group of countries, combined with the ongoing closure of coal-fired […]
SMEs Face Double Rate Threat
The Government’s pro business reputation and rhetoric is under pressure as small businesses face up to the new reality of business rates. Two policies are converging to cause new headaches for SMEs, firstly April 2015 will see the end of transitional relief for small businesses and secondly comes the postponement of a revaluation of the […]
EDF cleared to build new nuclear plant
The nervous wait for UK energy policy is over, that is one element at least, with the news that the European Commission has judged that EDF Energy’s proposed £24.5bn Hinkley Point C nuclear plant does not break state aid rules. The project, the first of its kind for two decades and due to start operations […]
ASA rules on the ownership of the uSwitch for Business portfolio from 2011 to 2014
ASA rules on the ownership of the uSwitch for Business portfolio from 2011 to 2014 Following an investigation by the Advertising Standards Authority, the ASA council have found that Business Juice owned and continue to own the sole rights to the customer portfolio built under the uSwitch for Business brand from January 2011 to April […]
Oil Price Falls and the cost of UK energy
Oil prices have slipped below $89, their lowest levels since 2010. That’s the headline but why the falls and what impacts will it have on the cost of energy? The why? Abundant supply Burgeoning shale reserves A strong dollar Weak demand & a continued poor economic outlook Abundant supply Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil […]
Lord Digby Jones Speaks Up for SMEs
Long Live the SME Lord Digby Jones, former Director General of the CBI has thrown his weight behind improved support for SMEs and an acceptance that failure is not to be feared but exploited to take businesses with potential to greater heights. Digby Jones believes commercial culture changes are required if SMEs are to continue […]