Tom Greatrex MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy Minister, commenting on Ofgem’s decision to fine British Gas £5.6m for incorrectly blocking business customers from switching and failing to notify customers when their contracts were close to expiring, said:

“This is just the latest example of an energy market that is not working for households and businesses. A competitive energy market only works if customers are able to switch supplier. If companies want to keep customers, they should offer low prices and good customer service, not block them from switching. 

“The next Labour government will undertake the biggest overhaul of our energy market since privatisation.  Our plans will stop energy companies locking small businesses into expensive auto-rollover contracts, restrict back-billing to maximum of one year and ensure all supplies treat small businesses fairly. And until these reforms kick in, we will put a stop to unfair price rises by freezing energy bills until 2017, saving the average business £5,500.”