John Baron MP quizzes Secretary of State over cheapest tariff pledge

MP challenges coalition to maintain commitment to display cheapest tariff information on all bills

Yesterday in the House of Commons, John Baron MP questioned the Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, on the forthcoming annual energy statement and whether the government would require the listing of cheapest tariff information on bills issued by energy companies. This follows a long campaign by John on this issue.

John asked:

“4,000 different tariffs cause understandable confusion among consumers? Under pressure, the previous Government promised that annual statements would include information on the cheapest tariffs so that consumers could more easily see whether they were paying too much for their energy. Is this Government going to continue with that promise? If so, has the Secretary of State considered including cheapest-tariff information on monthly bills? An annual statement discriminates against active switchers.”

The Secretary of State, the Rt. Hon Chris Huhne MP, responded by saying that John was absolutely right and said the coalition government will bring forward proposals in the Energy Bill later this year to make sure consumers are properly informed.

John said afterwards:

“Obliging energy companies to print cheapest tariff information on all energy bills will help to ensure that consumers are paying no more than they need to for their energy. This will help all households, but particularly the 4 million people who live in fuel poverty.”

Ends

Word Count: 219
Date: 28th July 2010

Notes to Editors

During the course of his campaign in the last Parliament, John was able to push the then Government to oblige suppliers to include this information on the new annual statements, but they refused to make this a requirement on all energy bills. Such a requirement was promised in the Conservative election Manifesto but was not included in the Coalition Agreement.
For further information see press releases

John Baron MP presses Government over cheapest tariff pledge (3rd June 2010)
John Baron MP presses Minister to encourage all energy suppliers to follow Scottish & Southern Energy’s policy on cheapest tariff information (8th April 2010)
John Baron MP wins support of Scottish & Southern Energy for cheapest tariff plans (26th March 2010)
John Baron MP welcomes result on Government’s cheapest tariff promise after year-long campaign (7th Jan 2010)

Fuel poverty is defined as more than 10% of income being spent on maintaining an adequate level of heating.

Reference to debate:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100727/debtext/100727-0001.htm#10072741000966