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Responding to Ofgem’s non-domestic vitality market assessment, Tina McKenzie, Coverage Chair of the Federation of Small Companies (FSB) mentioned: “Small corporations have been ready for measures that would assist alleviate the hovering vitality prices and handle the heavy-handed method of vitality suppliers. We’ve been working with Ofgem to ensure the voice of small companies is heard, so we welcome and are happy to see right this moment’s publication of the non-domestic market assessment.
“We now have been calling for a ‘mix and prolong’ contract renegotiation for small companies who mounted their tariffs throughout market peak final yr. We’re glad to see the vitality regulator has backed our name and once more urge suppliers to step up, act with equity and adapt.
“Whereas a handful of vitality suppliers have adopted our ‘mix and prolong’ proposals, small companies have been complaining to us that they have been excluded from the renegotiation as a result of they secured contracts by means of a third-party dealer. The obligations from vitality giants shouldn’t be restricted simply to their direct clients; they need to cease washing their palms of consumers whose offers are signed through a dealer.
“The difficulty of small corporations being charged disproportionate safety deposits is one thing we continually hear. Vitality suppliers ought to observe Ofgem’s safety deposit greatest observe information and cease asking weak small corporations for big sums of upfront funds given many are engaged on little to no money reserves. We’ve repeatedly urged the Authorities to shut a big regulatory hole by introducing Third Occasion Intermediaries (TPIs) regulation, eliminating unethical practices within the sector. It’s encouraging to see Ofgem recognise the significance of this, in addition to backing our name to increase entry to the Vitality Ombudsman.
“The vitality value disaster illustrates the necessity for firmer motion from Ofgem to guard small enterprise clients by means of cooling off intervals – we strongly consider microbusiness ought to be given extra flexibility to cancel a contract and have entry to a 14-day cooling-off interval for all switches. This may put them on par with home clients and we look ahead to partaking Ofgem on this additional.”
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