Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The government is right to give Ofgem more teeth, a broader role in regulating businesses across the energy sector and a clearer focus on ensuring the energy market works for consumers.
“Stronger enforcement powers, executive accountability and the ability to step in when the market fails are exactly what campaigners have been calling for.
“But ministers must be clear that if the duties placed on Ofgem pull in different directions, vulnerable households must always come first.
“And of course, stronger regulation alone will not pay anyone’s energy bill.
“As part of the reforms, ministers must stand ready to direct Ofgem to help bring down bills.
“This could mean delivering a social tariff for vulnerable customers, recovering excess network profits or tackling gas network ownership, market structures and technical processes that have for too long helped to skew the energy system in favour of energy giants.
“We look forward to working with ministers and officials to ensure that the new arrangements deliver for the millions of people who still cannot afford to heat their homes.”
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