JIM HUME MSP SAYS ENERGY COMPANIES NEED TO PLAY FAIR
March 21, 2011 10:47 PM
Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has welcomed news that Ofgem has told energy firms that they must offer simpler tariffs to help consumers compare prices.
Jim Hume said:
"This is a welcome announcement from Ofgem. I am pleased that Ofgem have acknowledged that the way energy companies charge consumers has become extremely complicated and for the most part unmanageable.
"With the cost of energy increasing all the time, consumers have the right to expect concise information at their disposal so they can make informed decisions. The system needs to be fairer and I am pleased that Ofgem has stepped in to demand this of energy companies.
"I want to see more, though. The average house-hold energy bill is more than £1,200. That's nearly double the bills people were paying five years ago.
"Four of the big six energy companies announced price rises averaging 6% recently, well above the rate of inflation. The energy cartel blames a 25% rise in gas prices since spring last year, but big falls in wholesale prices before May were never passed on to customers.
"Energy companies have increased their profit margins from £65 to £90 on every home in Britain. It's big business versus the consumer".
Ends
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