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Proceeding contribution from Caroline Flint (Labour) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 19 October 2011. It occurred during Opposition day on Energy Prices.


Energy Prices

I understand that the wholesale price has gone down from its peak in 2008 by two thirds; in fact, wholesale prices have been going down in the last month. That poses the question: why do we hear from the energy companies when they say that prices are going up, but when the prices are going down we do not hear from them so loudly? Ofgem has said it is not good enough that when the energy companies claim that wholesale prices are going up, the price to consumers goes up like a rocket, but when they come down, the price comes down like feathers. The truth is that it is a complex market and it is difficult. We are not an island that can control everything, but we should control the way in which the energy companies are expected to satisfy us and the public about how they run their tariffs, and they should open their books to show transparency so we can see at what price they buy and at what price they sell, to ensure that we get a better deal.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
533 c937-8 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Companies Competition Billing Carbon capture and storage Energy Ofgem Fuel poverty Fuel oil Prices Winter fuel payment Social tariffs
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk