Energy Markets Competition Assessment

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown Excerpts

Thursday 27th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

I like the hon. Gentleman, despite his question. It is not a Conservative mantra—it is a Liberal Democrat mantra, a coalition mantra and a consumer mantra. Let us remember that the people who have been calling for this reference include Which?, Citizens Advice, Consumer Futures and the Federation of Small Businesses, and we are delivering on that today.

[Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP)]

No matter what politicians say in this Chamber today, many of our constituents believe that they are being ripped off on energy costs. How can we assure them that the cost of electricity and gas is a genuine cost and has not been set by a cartel of the big six?

[Mr Davey]

The hon. Gentleman can do that by backing this reference by the competition authorities, which will ask all those questions. I say to him and his constituents that if they are worried now, they should look at the best buy tables and use the competition that is there now. I hope that, as a result of this reference, we will supercharge that competition. There is choice now, because this Government have brought it in.