Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Microbusiness Protection Rules implemented by Ofgem.

Consumer protection rules are a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator. The Department continues to work closely with them to take forward the recommendations from the 2024 Non-Domestic Market Review, such as expanding access to the Energy Ombudsman and the development of a new regulatory regime for Third Party Intermediaries, such as energy brokers.

As part of its Consumer Confidence programme, Ofgem has developed consumer outcomes for all consumers, both domestic and non-domestic. These clarify the consumer outcomes Ofgem wants the sector to deliver and how they will be embedded into its regulatory framework.