Campaigners scale CMA offices in protest of ‘whitewash’ final remedies

Campaigners have climbed the offices of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in London, in protest of its “whitewash” final energy market report.

The campaign group Switched on London is calling for publicly-owned energy, and accusing the CMA of “loving the big six energy suppliers”, after it dropped its initial accusation that the big six suppliers are overcharging customers by £1.7 billion per year.

Switch on campaigner Emma Hughes, who is at the offices, said: “This so called investigation into the energy industry is a farce. The big six are ripping off customers by £1.7 billion a year and the CMA are colluding with them to keep it secret.

“People need a genuine alternative to these rip-off merchants. By setting up local public energy companies that put affordable bills before profit, the government can ensure people are able to heat their homes. This is a basic need, not a luxury.”

The final remedies from the two-year investigation were announced today and included the creation of an Ofgem-controlled database for disengaged customers to be targeted for marketing and measures to support prepayment customers.