Following Tim Yeo’s call for the Competition and Markets Authority investigation to include a probe into the wholesale gas markets, the CMA has committed to consider the gas market’s impact on bills but has falling short of the Energy Select Committee Chairman’s call for a detailed focus on the market itself. Yeo had said that […]
CMA: Theories of Harm
The Competition and Markets Authority investigation into the UK energy market will be a long drawn out and complex affair. In order to make sense of their objectives and to block out some of the more populist and rabble rousing commentary (from both sides), the CMA panel has established four elements that they describe as […]
CMA Investigation Initial Statement
Competition and Markets Authority Whilst being mindful not to prejudge the outcome, Roger Witcomb, chairman of a five-strong panel of competition experts appointed by the CMA to investigate the energy market has laid bare the fundamental concerns that exist about the current UK energy market. Whilst cautioning that they were “topics for investigation and are […]
Ofgem Neglect of Business Energy Customers Escalates
Ofgem’s neglect of business energy customers escalates yet again In late July Ofgem announced the final stage of its ‘Statutory consultation on non-domestic automatic rollovers and contract renewals’ Despite this announcement receiving little fanfare and far less media scrutiny compared to the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into the energy sector, the consultation should have […]
Latest Ofgem SMI Controversy
Supply Market Indicators Normally our review of the latest Ofgem Supply Market Indicators is a dry affair with us generally underlining the prevalence of government levies and network upgrade costs as key drivers of the energy price. We often also point out that Ofgem’s obsession with supplier profit is unhealthy and at times misleading. This […]
CMA, the Banking industry
The headlines looked promising: The Bank of England’s latest report on lending to businesses showed a significant turnaround with lending to businesses increasing £3.4bn in May compared to an average monthly decrease of £2.1bn since December. Below those headlines though the flow, and positivity dissipated with SMEs seeing another fall in the number of loans […]
Ofgem Investigates New Connections
The New Supply Electricity Market For anyone who has ever tried to organise a new connection in the electricity market – where cables, wires and meters are laid for the first time and a new or renovated premise is ‘connected’ to the grid – they will know that the process is not simple, straightforward or […]
BBC Watchdog Ann Robinson Discusses Ofgem
Car crash television at its best… BBC Watchdog clearly saved the best until last, in the last episode of the series the host, Ann Robinson questioned “What is the point of Ofgem?” Judging by the performances put in by uSwitch Director Ann Robinson (no relation) and Ofgem’s Dermot Nolan, clearly the energy industry doesn’t do […]
Ofgem Refers Energy Market For Competition Investigation
In a move that will surprise nobody but which will delight many, Ofgem have today formally referred the UK energy market for a full competition investigation. Following on from their proposal in March and the subsequent consultation Ofgem have asked the Competitions and Markets Authority to investigate the market. Announcing the final decision, Dermot Nolan, […]
Energy News: Sam Laidlaw Decries CMA Energy Investigation
In a piece of corporate ineptitude that could only be eclipsed by a non-apology from a government minister in an expense scandal (step forward Maria Miller), Sam Laidlaw has put up a good showing this last week. Laidlaw, Chief Executive of Centrica, British Gas Business’ parent, decried the call for the CMA investigation into the […]