Chris Huhne targets 'big six' energy companies

Tuesday, 20 September 2011 10:16

Chris Huhne will say he is determined to "get tough" with the six biggest energy companies and their "predatory pricing" tachniques, in his speech to the Liberal Democrat conference in Birmingham.

The energy secretary will also outline proposals designed to help spot cheaper energy deals more easily and save money as a result.

"It is not fair that big energy companies can push their prices up for the vast majority of their consumers - who do not switch - while introducing cut-throat offers for new customers that stop small firms entering the market," he will state.

"That looks to me like predatory pricing. It must and will stop."

Mr Huhne is expected to go on to suggest that regulator Ofgem should be given powers to force suppliers to refund customers after engaging in "bad behaviour".

In addition, he will cricitice the 'big six' energy suppliers for blocking Ofgem action by referring every decision to the competition commission, a process that can take up to a year to complete.

These companies - British Gas, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern, Npower, E.On and EDF - have all announced price rises in recent weeks.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg told Sky News that these firms should "fear and respect" their customers.

"I think many of the measures Chris will be announcing today will make it much easier for customers to be in the driving seat rather than having to accept the tariffs which are sometimes unacceptably high," he remarked.

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