The cost of energy

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 18 Feb 2025 Parliament page
In October last year the Committee published its i nterim report on the high costs of energy in the UK making recommendations on how costs fall on consumers in the retail side of the sector. In the second part of this inquiry, the Committee is looking at where costs arise … Read more
9 Recommendations
26 Conclusions
1 Report
8 Oral sessions
8 Events
Activity timeline 19 events
19 Mar
2026
Report published
17 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
17 Mar
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
4 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
4 Mar
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
21 Jan
2026
Report published
21 Jan
2026
Oral evidence
21 Jan
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
10 Dec
2025
Oral evidence
10 Dec
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
29 Oct
2025
Report published
15 Oct
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 8 sessions
17 Mar 2026
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Oral evidence
Jonathan Mills CB · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Michael Shanks MP · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
4 Mar 2026
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Oral evidence
Akshay Kaul · Ofgem Claire Dykta · National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) Fintan Slye · National Energy System Operator (NESO) Jonathan Brearley · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem
21 Jan 2026
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Oral evidence
Dr Alastair Martin · Flexitricity Dr Waqquas Bukhsh · University of Strathclyde Katrina Young · Energy Systems Catapult Lawrence Slade · Energy Networks Association (ENA) Professor Jacopo Torriti · University of Reading Sarah Honan · The Association for Decentralised Energy
10 Dec 2025
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Oral evidence
Adam Bell · Stonehaven Ana Musat · RenewableUK Professor Michael Grubb · UCL Susie Elks · E3G Tom Edwards · Cornwall Insight Tom Glover · RWE
15 Oct 2025
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Oral evidence
Andrew Ward · Scottish Power Customer Business Chris Norbury · E.ON UK Chris O'Shea · Centrica David Buttress · OVO Energy Rachel Fletcher · Octopus Energy Simone Rossi · EDF
9 Jul 2025
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Oral evidence
Arjan Geveke · Energy Intensive Users Group Beth Barker · Aldersgate Group David Mitchell · Chemical Industries Association David Wigham · Admiral Taverns; and representing British Beer and Pub Association Paul Wilson · Federation of Small Business Verity Davidge · Make UK
25 Jun 2025
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Oral evidence
Alex Belsham-Harris · Citizens Advice Beth Martin · Ofgem Dr Raj Roy · Centrica Ed Dodman · Ombudsman Services Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem Jonathan Lenton · Energy Ombudsman Katie Watts · MoneySavingExpert
4 Jun 2025
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Oral evidence
Angus McCarey · Uswitch Caroline Abrahams · Age UK Dhara Vyas · Energy UK Maria Booker · Fair By Design Matt Copeland · National Energy Action Merlin Hyman · Regen
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Tackling the energy cost crisis HC 736 29 Oct 2025 35 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
7 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Prioritise reducing energy costs for all consumers as the top policy objective.
For all these reasons we believe that reducing energy costs for everyone should be made the top policy priority. (Conclusion, Paragraph 33)
Government Response
The government explicitly states that reducing energy costs is a top priority and outlines existing and planned measures, including Autumn Budget bill reductions, the clean power mission, Great British Energy, and the Warm Homes Plan, to address this goal.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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20 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Reassess Targeted Charging Review outcomes and consult on broader allocation of increased network infrastructure costs.
Ofgem should reassess the outcomes of its Targeted Charging Review and consult on how increased network costs resulting from a sharp increase in investment in electricity infrastructure could be allocated more broadly, including across wider parts of the energy system. … Read more
Government Response
The government confirms that Ofgem is conducting a Cost Allocation and Recovery Review (CARR), which includes electricity network charges and investment costs, to determine how fixed energy system costs are allocated. Ofgem published a Call for Input in Summer 2025 and will conduct a full consultation on options.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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25 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Energy Ombudsman lacks statutory backing, undermining confidence and emboldening suppliers to ignore rulings.
For most consumers, the Energy Ombudsman provides a good service and we welcome proposals to strengthen its powers and make referrals automatic. However, without statutory backing, the Energy Ombudsman remains toothless, which undermines the confidence of consumers to seek redress … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that too many Energy Ombudsman (EO) rulings are not implemented and is proposing to create an explicit legal obligation on suppliers to implement rulings and to explicitly designate the EO through legislation. Decisions on financial penalties for non-implementation are subject to ongoing consultation by the government and Ofgem.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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29 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
High industrial energy costs pose an existential threat, with UK prices highest in Europe.
High energy costs pose an existential threat to many UK industries and are among the greatest concerns facing businesses of all sizes. The UK’s industrial electricity prices are the highest in Europe and around four times higher than the US … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the challenges of high industrial electricity prices and outlines existing support, including increasing electricity network charge discounts to 90% for energy-intensive firms and delivering the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme to reduce electricity costs for up to 7,000 businesses. It is also issuing a call for evidence this year on developing the Corporate Power Purchase Agreement market.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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33 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Exploitative practices rampant in non-domestic energy market, targeting resource-poor business owners.
We are greatly concerned by exploitative practices in the non-domestic energy market, especially instances of mis-selling and pressure selling, as well as excessive deposits and out-of-contract rates. These practices exploit resource-poor business owners who often lack the time and knowledge … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's concern about exploitative practices in the non-domestic energy market and details ongoing actions, including support for microbusinesses, dispute resolution via the Energy Ombudsman, and plans to appoint Ofgem to regulate energy brokers.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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Government Response AI assessment · 35 of 9 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 5
Acknowledged 8
Deferred 8
Not Addressed 7
Rejected 2
Total 9 recs + 26 conclusions