MSE News: Energy regulator launches...

Former_MSE_Callum

The energy regulator Ofgem has opened an investigation into small gas and electricity provider Iresa’s customer service...

Read the full story:
'Energy regulator launches investigation into Iresa'

Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

System

About a year too late. I, and many others, were reporting issues/Licence breaches to Ofgem this time last year. Launching an investigation now says as much about Ofgem's licensing policy and ongoing regulatory compliance monitoring as it does about the supplier now under investigation. MSE, Which, Citizens Advice should now demand a full Public Inquiry into Ofgem, and its lack of understanding and support for energy consumers.

PLYSU

Long overdue. I hope every customer, past and present is given a goodwill payment for all the shortcomings. They are the worst, most frustrating organisation I have ever dealt with.

SnowMan

This investigation needed to happen (and should have happened some time ago).

I don't think I've encountered a company with such poor customer service.

They have been flouting numerous license conditions in extreme ways for some time now.

SnowMan

We've contacted Iresa for comment and will update this story when we hear back.

Presumably you've either

a) raised a 'ticket' which will either be deleted, ignored, laughed at or responded to in 6 weeks with a bland, meaningless or incorrect reply, requiring a further ticket leading to an endless loop of non-progress

b) or you've rung them and are 231st in the queue

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

SnowMan

The OFGEM information about this investigation is on their website here

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/investigation-iresa-and-its-compliance-its-obligations-under-its-gas-and-electricity-supply-licences-slcs-14-233-234-25c-slc-0-october-2017-275-278-2716-and-chsr-2008

dogshome

For Ofgem read Dinosaur

Jump on it's tail and a year later it says 'Ouch'

macman

Am I right in thinking that Iresa will have to pay a hefty fee to Ofgem for the cost of this investigation, whether it finds the case proven or not?

System

macman wrote: »

Am I right in thinking that Iresa will have to pay a hefty fee to Ofgem for the cost of this investigation, whether it finds the case proven or not?

I do not think so. If the case against it is proven, the supplier could get a hefty fine/re-dress payment or have its Supply Licence revoked. Recent fines are shown here:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/investigations/investigations-and-enforcement-data

Caddyman

This story continues to reinforce my own position to stick with what I know. As it turns out, if I had a moment of total madness and decided to switch away from the fantastically cheap Npower fix I'm currently on until June this year, Iresa as it turns out, would cost me £20 a year more than what I'm currently paying, so they wouldn't be getting a sniff of my business anyway and they certainly will never get my business at any time in the future.

I'll keep an eye on my own dual fuel tariff and I will switch away if my current supplier doesn't remain competitive, but I will not be switching to any unproven newbie start up, I'll be sticking with a big name supplier.

System

Caddyman wrote: »

I'll be sticking with a big name supplier.

So that will be one of the Big 6 then? Look at the link above; even the Big 6 have fallen foul of Ofgem in the past and one is under investigation at the moment.