*** EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01 Wednesday 18 June 2014 ***

Caroline Flint MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, commenting on data from Which? showing that consumer complaints to the Big Six energy companies have hit a record high, said:

“These figures are a damning indictment of a broken energy market that is failing to meet the needs of consumers. Under David Cameron people are paying more than ever for their gas and electricity, but all too often the customer service they receive is not good enough.

“To help people with their energy bills, the next Labour Government will undertake the biggest overhaul of our energy market since privatisation. Our plans will break up the big energy companies, put an end to their secret deals and create a tough new regulator with the power to force companies to cut their prices when wholesale costs fall. And until these reforms kick in, we will put a stop to unfair price rises by freezing energy bills until 2017, saving the average household £120.”