EU consumers have a right to fair energy bills
Posted, February 02, 2009 @ 17:00
Commission to investigate poor service
Strasbourg, 2nd February 2009 -- British consumers' energy bills could be lowered by a European Commission investigation into potential failures of market forces, Malcolm Harbour MEP, Conservative consumer affairs spokesman in the European Parliament, said today.
The European Commission has published its Consumer Markets scoreboard report, which shows that three service areas across the EU are providing consumers with poor value. These are banking, urban transport and energy. The commission has decided to focus its attention this year on energy. It will fully investigate why price rises are so high and whether unfair commercial practices, billing or a reticence to switch suppliers are exacerbating already crippling energy prices.
Mr Harbour said:
"Many consumers are becoming incredibly frustrated that their bills seem to be going up yet their level of service is going down.
"One of the European Commission's main roles is to ensure market forces are not being abused to consumers' disadvantage. Full undistorted competition leads to lower prices for all.
"If any energy companies are shown to be blocking competition, the commission must act decisively. Only when consumers feel confident about taking their business elsewhere will we see price cuts and service improvements."