This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7654002.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ofgem sees faults in power market Energy bills are 'unfair to some'
(30 minutes later)
The energy regulator, Ofgem, has told power companies they need to deliver the benefits of competition to all of their customers. The energy regulator Ofgem has told companies to stop charging customers different rates if they pay by direct debit or pre-payment meters.
It said it was unfair that 4.3 million customers with no gas supply could not get the best deals on electricity. It added it was unfair that 4.3 million customers with no gas supply could not get the best deals on electricity.
It also proposed rules to stop firms charging different amounts to customers who pay in different ways. Ofgem said the energy market worked well for most customers, but told power companies they needed to deliver the benefits of competition to all.
But the regulator found no evidence that energy companies had been working together to set prices. It found no evidence that firms had been working together to set prices.
If they fail to satisfy our requirements voluntarily then we can move to a Competition Commission reference Alistair Buchanan, Ofgem chief executive
Ofgem started the investigation in February after all the leading suppliers imposed big price rises at the same time.Ofgem started the investigation in February after all the leading suppliers imposed big price rises at the same time.
There will now be a consultation on the report, which will end on 1 December.There will now be a consultation on the report, which will end on 1 December.
The regulator said that the market was working well for most customers and pointed out that competition could not stop rising prices of oil and coal from pushing up bills. The regulator pointed out that competition could not stop rising prices of oil and coal from pushing up bills.
Widespread criticism
However, it said energy firms could do more to make sure that all customers were able to access the best tariffs.However, it said energy firms could do more to make sure that all customers were able to access the best tariffs.
"Initial findings from our energy market probe give us grounds to demand that companies end practices that hinder customers, especially the vulnerable, from getting the best deal," said Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan."Initial findings from our energy market probe give us grounds to demand that companies end practices that hinder customers, especially the vulnerable, from getting the best deal," said Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan.
He threatened to refer the industry to the Competition Commission if it did not voluntarily meet its concerns. "If they fail to satisfy our requirements voluntarily then we can move to a Competition Commission reference," he threatened.
There has been widespread criticism of the billing system for customers on pre-payment meters, who are charged more for their fuel than those who pay by direct debit.There has been widespread criticism of the billing system for customers on pre-payment meters, who are charged more for their fuel than those who pay by direct debit.