OFGEMs view of a simplier market

rogerblack

http://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2011/10/21/a-blog-in-support-of-stupid-peoples-rights-probably-the-most-important-blog-ive-ever-written/

There is wilfully ignorant, and stupid.
The two are not the same.

Someone that doesn't care about energy costs because they've got plenty of disposable income is very different from someone who's barely literate, and having problems just living a normal life.

Do I have any hesitation whatsoever in having my bills (as a switcher) subsidised by the first group - of course not.

There has been mention of 'one number to compare' - either this would mean mandating a standard standing charge across suppliers, or wrapping up the standing charge into the unit price.

I've contacted OFGEN about the preferability of the second choice, on several grounds - it goes along with the energy saving programs, as it does not penalise low users. It gives truly one figure to compare on, and enables bills to be very, very simply computed by the user.

bendipa

chanz4 wrote: »

Some good points, however this is just going to increase prices for those on good deals as suppliers just wont offer them.

Also making all tariffs have standing charge, so for low users this means bigger bills

This will of course hit the elderly existing on state pensions, and those who are not just low users but also on low incomes that much harder. I hate standing charges, and being a low user avoid them wherever possible. As for the tarriffs themselves, I would not expect them to get any cheaper, so it will just be a double whammy for those in the above category. Ofgem claim to be the body that 'protects consumers', But the reality is they end up doing completely the contrary much of the time. Another useless, time-wasting quango that should be abolished.

backfoot

rogerblack wrote: »

Do I have any hesitation whatsoever in having my bills (as a switcher) subsidised by the first group - of course not.

Well of course you wouldn't. That would make you definately stupid because you get the game.

However, should a Government or even a hopeless Regulator continue to sit back and allow the stupid of whatever category to subsidise the savvy.

It might be ok with travel and holidays but it is immoral with heat and light in any decent society.

In the wider context, Energy Competition was supposed to be between Suppliers and not within customer categories. (stupid or otherwise).

Didn't anyone notice this fundamental flaw?

More here.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/56674151#Comment_56674151

Terrylw1

C_Mababejive wrote: »

The big suppliers will love it. It will be a chance to increase overall income and all becuase thousands of people are too stupid to do some simple maths.

You mean like the at risk groups such as the elderly or mentally disabled? Perhaps they struggle to understand all this and don't have someone there to help them.

Also, its not just about cost...if it were, wouldn't we be heading off to suppliers that offer very poor service to offer cheap rates? So, switching isn't always best anyway.

C_Mababejive

OFGEM OFGEM

Digressing slightly but perhaps OFGEM needs to have a look at its own costs and expenses before it seeks to dictate to the energy industries?

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/davidhughes/100007454/ofgems-greedy-bosses-make-mps-look-models-of-self-restraint/

Yes folks,whilst pensioners,the unemployed and the low waged sit in the cold in winter with their collective teeth chattering away,the good folk at OFGEM are enjoying the luxuries of life such as bit fat salaries,bonuses,expenses ,mysterious flights all over Europe and The USA apparently to have meetings and to speak at conferences all charged to expenses.

For example Mr Buchanan recently enjoyed a two day break in New York at a speaking engagement and charged over £700 to expenses for hotel and meals alone.


Meanwhile Mr Lord Mogg, peer of the realm doesn;t wish to queue up with the proletariat whilst at the airport. No no..he has his Easyjet plus card membership

http://plus.easyjet.com/

And on 15th February 2012 he charged to his expenses the sum of £101 to pay his speedy plus membership fee just so that he could jump the queue at check in and the gate.

Surely that is not a legitimate expense? Why is he so important that he cannot join the queue?

If he wants the dubious luxury of speedy boarding,he should pay out of his own well lined pocket.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/About%20us/transparency/sd/Documents1/Publication%20Version%20only%20-%20February%202012.pdf

from their "work"..they enjoy gold plated civil service pensions.

And yet these are the same people who are currently hacking hundreds of millions of pounds off the operating budgets of the utilities and threatening jobs and pensions in the industry.

Terrylw1

C_Mababejive wrote: »

OFGEM OFGEM

Digressing slightly but perhaps OFGEM needs to have a look at its own costs and expenses before it seeks to dictate to the energy industries?

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/davidhughes/100007454/ofgems-greedy-bosses-make-mps-look-models-of-self-restraint/

Yes folks,whilst pensioners,the unemployed and the low waged sit in the cold in winter with their collective teeth chattering away,the good folk at OFGEM are enjoying the luxuries of life such as bit fat salaries,bonuses,expenses ,mysterious flights all over Europe and The USA apparently to have meetings and to speak at conferences all charged to expenses.

For example Mr Buchanan recently enjoyed a two day break in New York at a speaking engagement and charged over £700 to expenses for hotel and meals alone.


Meanwhile Mr Lord Mogg, peer of the realm doesn;t wish to queue up with the proletariat whilst at the airport. No no..he has his Easyjet plus card membership

http://plus.easyjet.com/

And on 15th February 2012 he charged to his expenses the sum of £101 to pay his speedy plus membership fee just so that he could jump the queue at check in and the gate.

Surely that is not a legitimate expense? Why is he so important that he cannot join the queue?

If he wants the dubious luxury of speedy boarding,he should pay out of his own well lined pocket.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/About%20us/transparency/sd/Documents1/Publication%20Version%20only%20-%20February%202012.pdf

from their "work"..they enjoy gold plated civil service pensions.

And yet these are the same people who are currently hacking hundreds of millions of pounds off the operating budgets of the utilities and threatening jobs and pensions in the industry.

It doesn't surprise me after being in this industry. I'm betting its the same for all such bodies in the sector since there is a culture of expensive face-to-face meetings when there are cheaper alternatives.

Its certainly the case that suppliers do things like this...something else to think about when everyone thinks its all about wholesale prices. Aside from regulators cutting costs, you can bet senior managers are rinsing the profits...

undaunted

Wywth wrote: »

Ebico are not going to be happy with this

https://www.ebico.org.uk/blog/2012/02/24/a-letter-to-ofgem/

I wonder if Phil Levermore will embark on a "Richard Branson" mission over this?

I hope he does. Governments have responsibility for ensuring monopolies are not abused & the like. It isn't there place to start deciding the minute detail of tarrifs or that there must be standing charges, what pence per unit is charged & the like.

Dave ought to get his own house in order before he & his cronies start looking at such nonsense