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Independent supplier Green Energy has slammed the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) probe into the energy retail market for becoming “over politicised”, and has called for more “radical” thinking.
The investigation’s provisional findings were published in March and open to consultation. The supplier’s response also accused the probe of ignoring the public’s freedom of choice and “tinkering around the edges.”
The response said: “We are concerned that the whole process has become over politicised; Hinkley Point makes clear that energy policy decisions need to be made over 20-30 year cycles, short termism doesn’t suit useful energy policy and we have had a series of tinkering around the edges culminating in the biggest tinker of them all – sharing customer information.”
Green Energy expressed concern that sharing customer information “might be a contravention of the Data Protection Act.”
The investigation’s focus on price “caused everyone to lose sight of energy efficiency,” according to the supplier, which suggests “radical thought may be required,” including exploring the idea of the NHS prescribing electricity to elderly homes.
“Put simply, what we need is a policy that looks after those who are unable to help themselves, and a competitive market for the rest,” the response said.
“You’ve pronounced the market isn’t broken, what’s missing from your prescription for the public is an acknowledgment of freedom of choice.”
The final remedies from the investigation will be published in June.
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