Policy

Keeping price cap will ‘freeze’ energy retail market

The introduction of the energy price cap has “destroyed” the supply market and its removal is an essential precondition of any reform of the system, the UK’s first electricity regulator has told the government. Professor Stephen Littlechild, who was the first head of the Office of Electricity Regulation from 1989 to 1998, said keeping the price cap in place will deter competition from new entrants and "freeze" current market shares.

Energy Reset: Act now before it’s too late

As part of Utility Week’s Energy Reset campaign, we present a series of perspectives on tackling the cost of living crisis. In our first piece Peter Smith, director of policy and advocacy at National Energy Action, outlines how, without any additional support millions will sink into further debt and many will turn off their heating, putting them at risk of serious health complications or even premature death.

Interconnector backer threatens legal action

Policy gaps are failing fuel poor

‘Sticking plaster’ solutions leaving customers exposed to bill hikes

Delay on net zero same as denial, Deben warns

Fracking would not help to solve current energy crisis

Ministers say energy planning should be reviewed every five years

PM’s rationale for keeping VAT on energy is ‘disingenuous’

The rebel MP, who was expelled from the Conservative parliamentary party last week after backing a Labour motion to cut VAT from energy bills, has branded the prime minister's rationale for not doing so as “disingenuous.” Anne Marie Morris, the MP for Newton Abbot, who is sitting as an independent after she had the Tory whip withdrawn, said scrapping VAT on energy is "the most obvious, quickest and easiest" way of helping those struggling with rising energy bills.

Bevan: We’re going to need a bigger stick

Head of the Environment Agency James Bevan has said regulators need to “think differently, speak softly and carry a bigger stick,” working with operators to protect the environment and improve waterways but being “far firmer” if they fail to cooperate. He also called for “fewer, simpler and better” regulations to achieve environmental goals.

Mayor of London adopts accelerated pathway to net zero

British Gas admits Warm Home Discount failings 

Kwarteng says networks’ storm responses must improve

Counting the cost of the energy crisis

Analysts trim price cap forecast