5-11-03

Barrett welcomes fall in energy transfer errors

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today welcomed new figures from the energy regulator, Ofgem, showing a sharp decrease in the number of consumers having their energy supply switched in error.

The Ofgem report showed that the number of customers having their supplier of gas or electricity switched by mistake had more than halved over the last year. It follows the introduction of a Customer Charter, which set tough targets for improved performance by energy companies.

In a statement, John Barrett, said:

"Since I was elected to the House of Commons two years ago, the issue of erroneous energy transfers has been an ongoing problem, causing particular distress to my more elderly constituents.

"Mistaken transfers can deter customers from changing their energy supplier in the future, preventing them from taking full advantage of the competitive energy market. Thankfully though, the report by Ofgem shows that progress is finally being made and that the number of mistakes is now falling.

"There is clearly still some way to go though, something Ofgem recognises. Some companies have been more successful than others in tackling these mistakes.  Those which have failed to meet Ofgem's targets must be reigned in and where necessary, fines made to ensure that this time next year, these figures are even lower."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Report by Ofgem shows that in August 2003, the rate of mistakes 1.14% of gas transfers and 1.35% of electricity transfers. This compares to 2.5% in gas and 3.9% in electricity reported in August 2002.