More grist to the mill for the energy market naysayers as the decision from the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) probe into the energy sector not to focus its investigation into the UK wholesale gas market was endorsed by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Energy Costs. The CMA had come under fire for excluding the […]
CMA implementation doubts resurface
It must be catching, after Caroline Flint’s wilful disobedience towards the CMA, the Competition and Markets Authority Investigation into the energy markets, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey fleetingly appeared to have joined the list of cconscientious objectors to the investigation. The CMA had been called to make the energy market […]
CMA reveals Big 6 Profit Jump
The latest revelation from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation has laid bare the growth in the profit performance of the Big 6 energy suppliers between 2007 and 2013. Businesses making profit is not bad, whatever the populist messaging of modern Britain might lead one to think but the sheer escalation of the earning […]
Ofgem referred to CMA on networks
Why settle for one when you can have two? That could be mistaken for the policy of the UK energy market following the announcement of a second Competition and Markets Authority investigation into the energy market. This time though it isn’t Ofgem referring the suppliers to the CMA, as was the case in 2014 and […]
Labour to over-rule CMA on Big 6
With general election fever getting into its stride, the landscape upon which the political battlefield will be based is being drawn up. Unsurprisingly energy features highly on the key strategic attacks on the Labour party agenda. Back in 2013 Ed Miliband promised a price freeze (subsequently modified to a cap when prices fell), more recently […]
Energy UK launch Energy Manifesto
Energy UK the energy suppliers’ trade body has called for “clear and stable” energy policies from whomever forms the next government. Under their ‘energy manifesto’ Energy UK have highlighted the at times contrary focus of the various government departments, including DECC, the Environment Agency and the Department for Communities and Local Government who they claim: […]
CMA Findings – The best quotes
The preliminary findings from the CMA, Competition and Markets Authority, investigation into the workings of the energy market threw up some surprising results, and some not so surprising. For every blow struck to Ofgem‘s regulatory leadership, there was a predictable recognition of customer apathy, for every paltry profit report there was tales of market disengagement. […]
CMA findings – Ofgem in the dock
It’s doubtful they expected this when calling for the CMA, Competition and Markets Authority, investigation into the workings of the energy market. But Ofgem have found themselves in the CMA’s sights as a root cause of the problems that exist within the market. It has long been the suspicion of market participants that Ofgem were […]
CMA Findings – Where’s the profit?
Ofgem’s monthly SMI, Supply Market Indicators, are a controversial beast, pilloried and championed in seemingly equal measure. The regulator consistently claims healthy profit margins on behalf of the suppliers, the suppliers consistently accuse the regulator of wilful and inconsistent data manipulation, only then for the regulator to claim sleight of hand in suppliers’ transfer of […]
CMA Findings – No Big 6 break up on the horizon
Amongst the less trumpeted headlines from the CMA, Competition and Markets Authority, investigation into the energy market has been a very ssignificant finding. Whilst the headlines have been hogged by the spectre of energy suppliers ‘punishing’ loyal customers – we would say exploiting apathy – a much more significant conclusion has been drawn. The CMA […]