Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of changes in competitiveness in the gas and electricity market for consumers in (a) Pendle constituency, (b) the North West and (c) England.

Great Britain operates as a single energy market and therefore competitiveness is assessed on that basis.

There are 25 energy suppliers currently operating in the domestic supply market, consisting of 6 major and 19 independent supply companies. Since May 2010, 12 new suppliers have entered the market and they have more than trebled their customer base. Independent suppliers now account for around 9% of the domestic retail market up from 1% in 2010.

The best way to keep everyone’s bills down is to help people to save energy, ensure fair tariffs and encourage competition. Ofgem’s measures to reform the retail energy market are making it simpler for consumers to understand. While the Government has ensured that everyone is on the cheapest tariff that their supplier offers (that meets their preference).