Energy Ombudsman (From Western Telegraph)

Energy Ombudsman

9:53am Wednesday 28th May 2008

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This week Plaid called for the establishment of an independent energy ombudsman for Wales in an effort to eliminate the current charging disparity that exists between electricity prices in England and Wales.



This comes in the wake of a report prepared by Cornwall Energy on behalf of Energywatch which confirm previous statements that people in Wales are paying more for their electricity than consumers in England.



In February, Ofgem succumbed to public pressure and launched an investigation into the gas and electricity markets. An action which subsequently prompted negotiations between UK Government and energy bosses resulting in a commitment from the industry to increase their social tariff spend from £50 million to £150 million a year. Whilst Gordon Brown, Ofgem and the energy companies saw this as a means of assuring public disquiet over rising fuel bills, they appeared willing to allow the charging disparity between England and Wales to continue. Quite simply this is unacceptable and serves to highlight the need for the creation of an Independent Welsh Ombudsman to represent the interests of the people of Wales.



Recently Centrica announced a £1 billion increase in its profits – at the same time increasing customer bills by 15%. What these companies must realise is that they have a moral responsibility to their customers. Their apparent failure to recognise this obligation calls for the urgent creation of a code of conduct for the industry to be overseen and enforced by an Independent Energy Ombudsman for Wales. The current charging inconsistency is nonsensical and the public needs a strong voice to fight their corner.