Watchdog gives evidence to inquiry
energywatch has given evidence at an inquiry held by a business and enterprise select committee on the energy market.
The UK's energy watchdog was represented by chief executive Allan Asher when it was asked to speak to the group of MPs yesterday.
Mr Asher made several recommendations to the committee, including asking for the Competition Commission to investigate the sector, proposing the introduction of a more open system in the sector and cutting the link between oil and gas prices.
He added that the levels of competition in the market have "been allowed to degrade" in recent times, meaning consumers have been hit with high prices and poor service.
"The starkest manifestation of this is 4.5 million households in fuel poverty and a rise of 43 per cent in the number of consumers coming to energywatch for help," he explained.
"We need to stop this from getting worse, and start taking the steps to make it better."
energywatch released research earlier this week which revealed it is receiving around 49 per cent less contacts from British Gas consumers than it was a year ago.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
Add to del.icio.us 
Add to Y!MyWeb 
Submit to Digg 
Stumble It
Compare all home energy suppliers
Subscribe to RSS news feed© SwitchWise.com 2008. SwitchWise.com is a trading name of UK Power Limited and is a trademark owned by Switchwise Limited.
This site is intended for UK Residents only.
Compare gas suppliers | Compare electricity suppliers | Secured loans | Unsecured loans | Compare broadband | Compare Home Phone | Homeowner loans | Compare mortgages | Personal loans