Last week the Government announced proposals to grant new powers
to the Energy Ombudsman, aimed at strengthening consumer
protections and making compensation "fairer, quicker and
easier".
The Committee has been examining long-standing concerns with
energy billing – including large, unexpected charges and
estimated bills that do not reflect actual usage. These
situations can cause real stress and confusion for consumers, who
often need to spend considerable time and effort to challenge
inaccurate demands.
While some cases are resolved through complaints procedures, a
significant number escalate to the Energy Ombudsman. The
Committee has heard concerns that suppliers do not always act on
the Ombudsman's recommendations or offer fair compensation in
line with its rulings.
This session forms part of the Committee's ongoing inquiry into
the cost of energy. It will explore the causes and consequences
of billing issues and inaccurate estimates, and consider how
redress mechanisms are serving consumers.
It will provide an opportunity to question Ofgem and the
Ombudsman directly, assess the adequacy of the Ombudsman and
whether its proposed new powers will make the difference for
energy consumers.
________________________________________
Wednesday 25 June – Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
hearing
From 3.00pm
- Alex Belsham-Harris, Head of
Energy Consumer Markets, Citizens Advice
- Katie Watts, Head of Campaigns
and Policy, MoneySavingExpert
- Dr Raj Roy, Group General
Counsel & Company Secretary, Centrica
From approximately 4.00pm
- Jonathan Brearley, Chief
Executive Officer, Ofgem
- Ed Dodman, Chief Ombudsman,
Energy Ombudsman
- Jonathan Lenton, Regulatory
Director, Energy Ombudsman
- Beth Martin, Director for
Consumer Protection and Competition, Ofgem
