Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations his Department has received from businesses on the effect on investment of the proposed removal of appeals from the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill to an expert body.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy receives many representations from businesses on a range of issues.

The draft Bill would place a new duty on Ofgem to implement a cap on standard variable and default tariffs, so it does not remove an existing right of appeal. Energy companies would be able to challenge Ofgem’s decision on the setting of the cap by way of judicial review.

The draft Bill is clear that Ofgem must have regard to the need to ensure that holders of supply licences who operate efficiently are able to finance activities, including carrying out investment authorised by the licence.