In brief...: Firms seek fair energy services

Aug 15 2008

Aleading business group called for new measures to help firms deal with energy companies amid claims they were more vulnerable to exploitation than domestic customers.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) claimed energy suppliers were not giving businesses the same "fair and transparent" service received by domestic users.

The group urged the regulator Ofgem to tackle a number of "serious flaws" in the way energy companies dealt with businesses.

Anew independent watchdog should be established to deal with the energy concerns of business, said the BCC. The Chambers said watchdog group Energywatch received 32,000 calls every year from businesses seeking help and advice on their energy supplies.

Compared to domestic users, businesses were "significantly more vulnerable" to exploitation and unfair practice by energy firms, it was claimed.

The BCC said in its report that while domestic suppliers were required to publish their tariffs, there was no regulatory requirement covering business suppliers.