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| Energy firms to 'double' profit margins, predicts Ofgem | Energy firms to 'double' profit margins, predicts Ofgem |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The big six energy firms are set to double their profit margins over the next year, according to estimates by the regulator, Ofgem. | The big six energy firms are set to double their profit margins over the next year, according to estimates by the regulator, Ofgem. |
| A year ago, Ofgem estimated that suppliers would make an average profit of £53 per dual fuel customer, a margin of 4%. | A year ago, Ofgem estimated that suppliers would make an average profit of £53 per dual fuel customer, a margin of 4%. |
| But in the year ahead they now expect energy firms to make £106 per customer, increasing their margin to 8%. | But in the year ahead they now expect energy firms to make £106 per customer, increasing their margin to 8%. |
| The industry said the figures do not take tax or interest into account. | The industry said the figures do not take tax or interest into account. |
| However Ofgem - which will officially publish the details on Thursday - said it was further evidence that the market was not working as well as it should. | However Ofgem - which will officially publish the details on Thursday - said it was further evidence that the market was not working as well as it should. |
| It has already referred the industry - and the profits it makes - to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). | It has already referred the industry - and the profits it makes - to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). |
| It has also written to the suppliers to ask why falls in wholesale prices last winter have not resulted in lower bills. | |
| Confidence | Confidence |
| However Energy UK, which represents the suppliers, defended the amount of money they expect to make. | However Energy UK, which represents the suppliers, defended the amount of money they expect to make. |
| "The UK needs a healthy energy sector with companies that turn a profit," said a spokesperson. | "The UK needs a healthy energy sector with companies that turn a profit," said a spokesperson. |
| "Profitability and investor confidence is vital at a time when the industry needs to attract a lot of investment," he added. | "Profitability and investor confidence is vital at a time when the industry needs to attract a lot of investment," he added. |
| Ofgem said that even though profit margins are likely to increase over the next year, bills are likely to fall. | Ofgem said that even though profit margins are likely to increase over the next year, bills are likely to fall. |
| It calculates that average dual fuel bills will go down by £18, as energy efficiency measures improve. | It calculates that average dual fuel bills will go down by £18, as energy efficiency measures improve. |
| Price cuts | Price cuts |
| In a separate development, Ofgem announced that electricity customers will see an average reduction of £12 a year on their bills, from April 2015. | In a separate development, Ofgem announced that electricity customers will see an average reduction of £12 a year on their bills, from April 2015. |
| That follows plans to limit the prices that can be charged by Britain's six distribution companies, which carry power to homes and businesses. | That follows plans to limit the prices that can be charged by Britain's six distribution companies, which carry power to homes and businesses. |
| The curbs will affect 29 million English, Scottish and Welsh customers. | The curbs will affect 29 million English, Scottish and Welsh customers. |
| Ofgem's plans will also see the distribution companies spend £17bn to upgrade their networks. | Ofgem's plans will also see the distribution companies spend £17bn to upgrade their networks. |
| The distribution element makes up about 8% of a typical dual-fuel bill and is the only part of the network costs controlled by Ofgem. | The distribution element makes up about 8% of a typical dual-fuel bill and is the only part of the network costs controlled by Ofgem. |
| "Today's announcement is all part of Ofgem's consistent drive to get the best deal for consumers, while maintaining a stable regulatory regime which attracts investment as cheaply as possible," said Dermot Nolan, the regulator's chief executive. | "Today's announcement is all part of Ofgem's consistent drive to get the best deal for consumers, while maintaining a stable regulatory regime which attracts investment as cheaply as possible," said Dermot Nolan, the regulator's chief executive. |
| Five out of the six network companies - UK Power Networks, Northern Power Grid, SP Energy Networks, SSE Power Distribution and Electricity North West - were ordered to cut their prices. | Five out of the six network companies - UK Power Networks, Northern Power Grid, SP Energy Networks, SSE Power Distribution and Electricity North West - were ordered to cut their prices. |
| Only one, Western Power Distribution, had its pricing and investment plans approved by Ofgem. | Only one, Western Power Distribution, had its pricing and investment plans approved by Ofgem. |
| The new prices will apply for eight years, from April 2015 until 2023. | The new prices will apply for eight years, from April 2015 until 2023. |
| Ofgem will announce a final decision on the proposals in November after carrying out a consultation. | Ofgem will announce a final decision on the proposals in November after carrying out a consultation. |