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
7 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Establish an Energy Data Sharing Taskforce to improve support schemes and tackle fuel poverty.
The Government should immediately establish an Energy Data Sharing Taskforce involving energy suppliers, government departments, HMRC, local authorities, the National Health Service and relevant third parties. This should establish clear and effective mechanisms for data sharing with the specific ambition … Read more
Government Response
The government's response acknowledges the importance of data sharing and describes ongoing work with various departments and an existing industry working group, but it does not commit to establishing the specific 'Energy Data Sharing Taskforce' as recommended.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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14 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Introduce ambitious Energy Debt Relief Scheme funded by energy network windfall profits.
Ofgem should introduce an ambitious Energy Debt Relief Scheme, funded by windfall profits made by energy network companies, that has broad eligibility and provides support automatically, without consumers having to apply or agree a repayment plan. The regulator should consult, … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on Ofgem's ongoing price control reforms (RIIO-3) to prevent future windfall profits and manage existing debt recovery mechanisms, but does not address the recommendation for Ofgem to introduce an Energy Debt Relief Scheme or consult on a permanent debt forgiveness scheme.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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17 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Set Energy Price Cap equally for all customers, regardless of chosen payment method.
Ofgem should set the Energy Price Cap at an equal level for all customers, regardless of their chosen payment method, taking effect from the price cap period January to March 2026. It must also ensure that customers who are in … Read more
Government Response
The government's response explains the existing role of the Energy Price Cap and Ofgem's responsibility for its methodology, and highlights the Warm Homes Plan to make bills affordable, but does not address the specific recommendations for Ofgem to equalize the price cap for all payment methods or provide greater switching flexibility for customers in energy debt.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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19 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Reform standing charges to exempt electric converters and limit prepayment meter burden.
Ofgem should exempt customers from having to pay the gas standing charge if they convert their home to electrical heating and no longer otherwise need a gas service. They should also work with retailers so that the accumulation of standing … Read more
Government Response
The government's response mentions a consultation to reduce standing charges by moving Warm Home Discount costs to the unit rate and discusses future reviews related to gas disconnections and network transition, but does not address the specific recommendations for Ofgem to exempt gas standing charges for electric heating converters, tackle summer standing charge accumulation for pre-payment meters, or cap standing charges at 50% for pre-payment meters.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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28 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Extend Energy Ombudsman coverage to all small businesses; increase maximum pay award to £50,000.
All small and micro sized businesses should be covered by the Energy Ombudsman to provide a streamlined and widely understood process for dispute resolution across the entire sector. The maximum pay award that the Energy Ombudsman can grant to businesses … Read more
Government Response
The government response does not address the recommendation to cover all small and micro businesses by the Energy Ombudsman or to increase its maximum pay award to £50,000. It focuses on strengthening the EO's general powers and implementation of rulings for consumers.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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32 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Clarify funding for industrial competitiveness schemes and pre-2027 business support.
In its response to this Report, the Government should clarify how exactly it will fund the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme and other support measures to reduce industrial energy costs in the Industrial Strategy. It must also clearly explain how it … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines various support measures but fails to clarify how the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will be funded or how businesses will be supported prior to its introduction in 2027, as specifically requested by the committee.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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35 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Tackling the energy c…
Require energy suppliers to itemise and publish all non-commodity costs on business bills.
We recommend that Ofgem require energy suppliers to clearly itemise and publish online all non-commodity costs charged on business energy bills to ensure full transparency of all costs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 118) 49
Government Response
The government's response discusses general protections in the non-domestic energy market and the regulation of brokers but does not specifically address the recommendation for Ofgem to require energy suppliers to itemise and publish all non-commodity costs online.
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