The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee will question Ofgem officials and Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway as part of the inquiry examining the process of billing customers for their gas and electricity and whether the rules on charging for energy are fair for all.
Meeting details
The inquiry is examining further the case for the standing charge after the Committee concluded in September that the current structure was ‘unfair and regressive’. It is also looking at how introducing a different price for those on the lowest incomes might help to improve the fairness of bills, the rules around forcibly switching people to pre-payment meters, the use of direct debit and how the cost of energy varies depending on geography.
Ofgem Chief Executive Jonathan Brearley is expected to be asked about how the energy regulator balances its ability to encourage innovation in the market with its duty to protect consumers. The Committee will then hear from the Minister, with questions likely to touch on the rationale for and affordability of the standing charge, the Government’s stance on locational pricing and its policy on future energy bill support schemes.
Earlier this month the Committee took evidence from energy firms, Energy Saving Trust and Fuel Poverty Coalition