Energy companies face grilling by MPs
The “big six” energy companies will meet with MPs to defend price hikes imposed on households throughout the country. Energy bosses will meet politicians on the Business and Enterprise Select Committee today (June 24).
It is understood chief executives from British Gas, EDF, npower, E.on, Scottish power and Scottish & Southern Energy will also discuss the cost of pre-payment meters and their effectiveness in tackling fuel poverty.
Consumer watchdog Energywatch says the average dual fuel customer is now paying 15% more a year for gas and electricity, following price hikes earlier this year. The energy companies are expected to argue that the doubling of wholesale prices gives them no option but to further raise prices for the coming winter.
The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform launched an investigation of the energy market in May this year It aims to examine the case for referring energy companies to the Competition Commission, as well as whether the companies and the Government are doing enough to help the fuel poor.
