Stephen
Metcalfe has today welcomed the news that the residents of South Basildon and
East Thurrock are one step closer to cheaper energy bills thanks to Ofgem’s
reforms to the energy market.
The
changes follow the plans set out by the Prime Minister last year to ensure
consumers get the cheapest deal and will be in place by summer.
Ofgem’s
reforms endorse the proposals in the Government’s Energy Bill currently in
parliament. They include:
- Making the market simpler by restricting suppliers to offering four simple core tariffs per fuel type.
- Requiring suppliers to give all their customers personalised information on the cheapest tariff they offer for them.
- New rules which require suppliers to send clear bills which are easier for customers to understand.
The
Government’ Energy Bill will underpin these changes to ensure that all
customers are getting the best deal on their energy bills by 2014.
Commenting,
local MP Stephen Metcalfe said: “I welcome Ofgem’s reforms. I know that people
across South Basildon and East Thurrock are concerned about their energy bills
and it is right that action is being taken to bring them down. It is a big step
in the right direction, and follows the Prime Minister’s promise last year to
get the lowest tariffs for consumers.”
The
Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: “I made a personal commitment to help get
energy bills down - and I'm delighted that Ofgem are taking that forward. The
package announced today is fairer for everyone and is about putting people
before profits. It's about pensioners being better able to heat their homes in
winter, and families better able to cope when the bills arrive.”
