Labour will amend the Lobbying Bill to ensure greater transparency in the Tory-led government’s relationship with the ‘big six’ energy companies.

According to a report in Monday’s Independent newspaper, DECC ministers have met with representatives of the ‘Big Six’ energy firms in the Department of Energy and Climate Change at least 128 times since May 2010. By contrast, DECC ministers have met with the main groups representing energy consumers – including Which? and Consumer Focus – 26 times in the same period, just a fifth of the total number of meetings with Big Energy. 

While it is important ministers listen to people from across the energy sector, the debate must not be one-sided.

Labour’s plans to freeze energy prices until January 2017 and reset the market to rebuild retrust and restore fairness has been swiftly opposed by the Tories, despite the fact it would benefit households by an average £120 and businesses by £1,800.

The Government has failed to stop over-charging and puts the interests of the powerful energy lobby ahead of millions of families and businesses. Since May 2010, average household bills have risen by £300.

But David Cameron is breaking his promises to clean up the lobbying industry because, under his Government’s watered-down Bill:

• only a fraction of lobbyists would have to register and this will not include the in house lobbyists used by the big energy firms.
• there will be no code of conduct requiring lobbyists to meet minimum standards
• the revolving door between Government and the Bix Six lobbyists will continue to spin.

This week, when the Lobbying Bill returns to the House of Commons, Labour will seek to amend the proposals to ensure:

• all lobbyists have to register, including in-house lobbyists such as those used by the big energy companies
• the new system has a code of conduct - with real sanctions.
• proper oversight of potential conflicts of interest when appointments are made in government

Ed Miliband said:

“With a cost of living crisis gripping Britain, hardworking people need a government that fights for them. Instead we have a Prime Minister who always stands up for a privileged few.

“We have a broken energy market that isn’t working for ordinary families and businesses. Yet rather than act this Tory-led Government is letting energy firms overcharge millions of families who are struggling to pay their ever-rising energy bills. No wonder the public thinks David Cameron stands up for the wrong people.

“Nor will the Government’s Lobbying Bill capture the big energy lobbyists, who will continue to escape scrutiny.

“Unlike David Cameron, I will stand up to vested interests.

“That is why Labour will re-set our broken energy market and, in the time it takes to put that in place, freeze energy bills until the start of 2017.

“And we will bring in a universal register of all professional lobbyists, along with a code of conduct backed by sanctions. We will put families struggling with their energy bills first.”