Energy companies told to compensate customers1 August 2011
Energy giants are overcharging for gas and electricity - and must compensate us, says an important committee of MPs.
The Committee report calls on the 6 biggest energy companies to:
- make it easier for householders to compare tariffs
- compensate people mis-sold new deals worse than their current tariff.
Friends of the Earth's energy campaigner Donna Hume said: "MPs are right to call for an end to dodgy sales tactics by greedy energy companies."
The Big Six are ripping us off while netting huge profits, and must be brought into line.
Donna Hume, Friends of the Earth
Costing us the Earth
But energy market reform must go further than the Committee's report. Serious investment in energy efficiency could:
- save consumers hundreds of pounds a year
- boost economic recovery
- reduce carbon emissions.
Friends of the Earth is calling for:
Investment in renewable energy
Britain has one of the richest sources of renewable energy in the world. We could power all our electricity needs using less than a third of available offshore wind, wave and tidal resources - and export the rest.
Friends of the Earth research suggests offshore wind could create 66,000 jobs alone by 2020.
Warmer homes
The Government should bring forward minimum energy-efficiency standards for rented homes from 2018 to 2016. This could lift 150,000 households out of fuel poverty - and save an average of £488 on the annual energy bill.
DIY energy
Parliament should also support decentralised energy - generated, used and owned by householders, local businesses, community groups, housing associations and councils.
Take action
Please sign our petition to give councils control to cut carbon locally - saving energy and money.
© susanvg
