Consumer Focus

The energy regulator Ofgem has today introduced a trio of measures intended to offer greater consumer protection, including tougher new rules on the way direct debits (DD) are set.

The energy regulator is considering whether Scottish Power is unfairly locking customers on a popular fixed rate deal that ended last month into an expensive capped tariff.

British Gas, EDF, E.On, nPower, Scottish & Southern Energy and Scottish Power have given the strongest hints yet that there will be no price cuts this year despite rising profits.

Energy customers are being overcharged an estimated £1.6 billion a year as providers are failing to pass on the falling prices they pay for energy to consumers, it is claimed.

Energy firms could be banned from unfairly overcharging customers from this autumn.