The Tories have completely failed to deliver an energy system that works for people, businesses or our environment - Long-Bailey

Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, responding to the Citizens Advice Bureau report calling for £7.5 billion of profit made by energy network operators to be returned to bill payers, said:

“The Citizens Advice Bureau's figures showing that energy networks have made over £7.5 billion unjustified profit over an 8 year period, are quite simply eye watering. The Tories have completely failed to deliver an energy system that works for people, businesses or our environment.

“It is simply unacceptable that customers are forced to accept such costs in their bills. They have no choice, there is no option to shop around as these companies hold a monopoly over the network, which is why Labour proposed to gain greater public control and transparency over these companies in our manifesto.

“The Government must direct Ofgem to take action on this unjustified behaviour immediately. Sadly, despite the Government promising to cap energy bills during the General Election, they have already rowed back on such strong action under pressure from the Big Six energy companies.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• ·         The operation of regional networks will be brought into public control through the alteration of operator license conditions.
• ·         The Citizens Advice Bureau press release is available here – [https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-citizens-advice-works/media/press-releases/energy-networks-making-75bn-in-unjustified-profit-over-8-years-citizens-advice-finds/]