Npower Investigation Update

Plushchris

meggsy wrote: »

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/consumer_affairs/article7073812.ece

Same on the Daily Mail website too (although being the Daily Mail it has to have a slightly racist overtone to the headline)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1260190/npower-German-owned-energy-supplier-named-UKs-worst-utility-company.html

meggsy

April 19th
A manifesto to improve the life of millions

Four policies that would improve the lot of millions — without costing the Treasury a penny

Energy regulation
The failings of Ofgem, the energy regulator, are too many to list here, but like its equivalent in the world of financial services, it has singularly failed to control an industry that is prone to treating its customer with contempt.
One example is the way that it has done next to nothing to force nPower to refund the two million gas customers who were overcharged in 2007. While Ofgem’s list of excuses is as long as its list of failures, it is clear that it needs a clearer and wider mandate to act. By making the regulator intervene more forcefully to secure consumers’ best interests, any future government would help the millions of people who are not in a position to take advantage of competition in the energy industry.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/article7101730.ece

Today ...

Npower makes a mockery of Ofgem — again
The comedy that is energy market regulation turned to farce (or perhaps tragedy) this week.
Without warning, npower moved thousands of customers from cheap online deals to costlier tariffs. No great surprise there from a company that still refuses to refund two million customers who were overcharged in 2007. But npower’s excuse did break new ground.
The company said that it had been forced to increase prices by the regulator. It referred to an Ofgem ruling compelling suppliers to offer deals that reflect only the true cost of providing power.
Obviously affronted, Ofgem said the point of the ruling was to crack down on unduly expensive tariffs, such as those paid by people on prepayment meters, not to stop suppliers offering competitive deals. Of course, this does not mean that the regulator plans to do anything to sanction npower. On the contrary, Ofgem plans no action other than to continue to “monitor” the industry. And there, in one absurd scenario, lies everything that is wrong with the market — regulation so weak that suppliers can make a mockery of it.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/article7106369.ece

Any more news DD re Consumer Focus ?

undaunted

Directed here from a related thread, here, https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2555817

I found this an interesting but unsurprising read. I believe Ofgem, Consumer Focus, Consumer Direct etc to be a useful foil in blaming each other as to why it isn't their role and Ofgem a complete waste of space who appear to be acclaimed "Regulator" and yet seemingly believe they have no powers to enforce anything of use to the average consumer complaint.

Consumer Focus were asked about the case recently but failed to respond on it.

meggsy

Another customer wins in court - awarded £3,000 damages - electricity billing :T

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8393795.Npower_harassed_customer_____judge/

davidgmmafan

OH dear oh dear. Loving the Daily Mail headline too, they just can't help themselves. Most of the big utility firms are in foreign hands I believe.

undaunted

:T Ha, ha, well done that man. You might know it would be Npoer too, couldn't have happened to a nicer company. May he be the first of many! :beer:

BCMP

undaunted wrote: »

:T Ha, ha, well done that man. You might know it would be Npoer too, couldn't have happened to a nicer company. May he be the first of many! :beer:

A legal precedent, to prosecute energy companies for harassment, has now been set. That will make it easier for other customers to take similar action if they want to. Nice one, undaunted.

meggsy

I think we should post the good news on this thread as well ... see #1478

or here for the complete thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/822299

:T