Consumer Focus - Lobbying Ofgem

backfoot

I believe this to be a significant document which certainly had bypassed me and may have many others.

http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/news/request-for-investigation-into-energy-tariffs

Download the letter. It is a long document but well worth a read.

Many of these topics have cropped up on our Forum and my opinion is that Consumer Focus have highlighted some very important issues.

Some of these are currently being debated actively here or by individuals taking up the issues with Supply Companies directly. It is a scandal that, in general, that the list identified by Consumer Focus is so lengthy and I am sure there are many other examples which we could add to the list.

The question remains is how the Regulator Ofgem responds.

This open letter puts immense pressure on Ofgem and I feel it is important for customers, affected by individual issues such as those listed or similar ones, to continue to make formal complaints.

That way, it adds pressure on the Suppliers and Ofgem to improve the deal for customers. Unfortunately, up to this point, they have been quite frankly hopeless in self or official regulation.

Ken68

Well spotted Backfoot.
Looks like Ebico is the only good guy out there.
Simple billing ethical stance.

MillicentBystander

Ken68 wrote: »

Well spotted Backfoot.
Looks like Ebico is the only good guy out there.
Simple billing ethical stance.

And even they don't exactly get it right all the time:


https://www.ebico.org.uk/products-and-prices/rates-and-prices

DirectDebacle

Excellent document and thanks for finding it backfoot. I will write to my MP selecting one of the issues highlighted by CF that has affected me. If that runs to form then it will be passed on to Ed Davey, the Energy Minister, who will continue playing pass the parcel and hand it on to Ofgem. The more badgering Ofgem receive the better the chance of them actually looking into something.

Ken68

Does this mean DD that you are starting another campaign as with nPower. Not sure I can stand the tension. Poor whoever is in your sights.

DirectDebacle

Does this mean DD that you are starting another campaign as with nPower. Not sure I can stand the tension. Poor whoever is in your sights

Not exactly. The CF open letter does though highlight many of the difficulties consumers report on these utility boards. Over the thirteen odd years since privatisation domestic consumer protection has not been a high priority for Ofgem and govt. has progressively diluted the powers that Ofgem started with. The mess of tariffs, T&C's IMO has been allowed to reach such a level that ad hoc patches are not that effective and temporary in as much that a way round it or new loophole is found.

My view is that it (Ofgem) is now beyond economical repair as far as domestic consumers are concerned. A thorough review (not by Ofgem) of the domestic supply market needs to be undertaken and the rules re-written. With the benefit of hindsight if privatisation were happening today then I think the domestic consumer would be better protected and not confronted with such a bewildering array of tariffs.

As individuals there is little impact we can make. Ofgem who are charged with protecting us will not even accept complaints from individual members of the public.

However as individuals we can indirectly access Ofgem through our M.P.'s. I have never found this particularly effective but it is the only way. If Ofgem were receiving enough letters from MP's constituents complaining about the suppliers then that may add a little weight to CF letter.

As the ad says, 'every little helps'.

MillicentBystander

Backfoot and DirectDebacle would be an unstoppable force. Just saying....:D

undaunted

To me they miss a major issue in that suppliers can establish so called "deemed contracts", fail to notify the consumer of the terms (contrary to supposed license conditions) etc & yet Ofgem does diddly squat about it.

DD may not yet be planning another campaign but I know for certain that one utterly determined customer is intending fighting Npower in Court over this :rotfl:

DirectDebacle

undaunted wrote: »

To me they miss a major issue in that suppliers can establish so called "deemed contracts", fail to notify the consumer of the terms (contrary to supposed license conditions) etc & yet Ofgem does diddly squat about it.

DD may not yet be planning another campaign but I know for certain that one utterly determined customer is intending fighting Npower in Court over this :rotfl:

Good point. Stick it in a letter to your MP. Be good to have a template letter with a list of gripes/underhand practices that could be downloaded and edited to suit the individual. Fire it off to the MP.

They work for us, so give them something to do.:D