COMPETITION
IS THE BEST PROTECTION, SAY ENERGY SUPPLIERS
17th October 2006
The Energy Retail Association (ERA) has
responded to the Government’s proposals
to close down the Gas and Electricity Consumer
Council (energywatch) in 2008. The report,
which is the Government’s response
to its consultation on consumer representation
and redress was published by the DTI today.
Responding to the report the ERA’s
chief executive, Duncan Sedgwick, said:
“In the last three years suppliers
have been working through a To Do list of
issues to tackle including, doorstep sales,
disconnection, customer switching, billing
and metering. This report is a clear indication
that the Government has recognised the effort
that energy suppliers put into driving higher
standards in customer services.”
The average number of complaints is ten
times less than three years ago, which equates
to 1 in every 10,000 customers. The report
concludes that the best way for customers
to sort out any problems is to call their
supplier in the first instance. As well
as the creation of a more “coherent
and efficient consumer advocacy body”
to replace energywatch, the Government has
also called for redress schemes to be set
up in other industry sectors
Sedgwick continued, “Although
it’s barely four months since the
energy suppliers set up the Energy Supply
Ombudsman, the Government has shown how
much confidence it has in the industry to
look after its customers. Customer service
is rightly the number one priority for energy
companies and the year on year reduction
in complaints is evidence that competition
is the best form of consumer protection”
Ends
Notes for editors:
The Energy Retail Association established
in October 2003 is the only dedicated trade
association for Britain’s domestic
energy suppliers. All the main energy suppliers
operating in the domestic market in Great
Britain are members of the association.
The ERA was set up at the instigation of
the energy supply industry in order to identify
areas where the industry can work together
for the common good without competitive
advantage. As part of its work the ERA seeks
to improve the profile of the sector and
represent the interests of energy retailers.
The Energy Supply Ombudsman is a non profit
making body funded by its members. For more
information see www.energy-ombudsman.org.uk
For further information please contact:
Niki Bowles, Head of Communications and
Media Relations on 0207 930 9181 or 07730
898 641
Russell Hamblin-Boone, Head of Corporate
Affairs on 0207 930 9177 or 07810 374 110
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