Press release
MPs call for compensation for customers misled by energy companies
25 July 2011
Commenting on a report by the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee today calling for energy companies to drop "Del Boy" style sales tactics and award compensation to customers misled by doorstep salesmen selling gas and electricity contracts, 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.
"Householders are also being stung by rising fossil fuel prices as energy companies continue to invest in old technologies like oil and gas - even though a switch to clean energy and energy saving will cut fuel bills in the long run.
"The Government must do more to insulate our homes, open up the energy market to more suppliers, and put power back into the hands of the people by helping communities to generate their own green energy."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. Recent Friends of the Earth analysis shows that green policies are our only hope of stabilising UK energy bills by weaning us off increasingly expensive oil and gas.
2. Friends of the Earth wants the Energy Bill currently going through Parliament to ensure that all councils have a climate change strategy, bring forward to 2016 the proposed minimum energy efficiency standard for rented homes, and introduce compressive energy efficiency strategy which is sufficient to meet carbon targets and end fuel poverty.
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2011
