Huppert Welcomes Energy Market Reforms

Energy market reforms which will make it easier for consumers to get the best deal have been backed by Cambridge MP, Julian Huppert.

He was given the chance to have his say on the plans at an event organised by energy regulator, Ofgem at the House of Commons.

Under the proposals, each energy supplier will have to offer a no frills tariff with a simple unit price and a fixed standing charge.

It is expected that around 75 per cent of consumers on standard tariffs will benefit from the changes.

Energy companies would also be required to make their bills, annual statements and other communications to their customers clearer and easier to understand and they would be bound by new, enforceable standards of conduct.

Julian said: “Any simplification of the energy market which makes it easier for consumers to understand the different tariffs available and exactly what they are being charged for is extremely welcome.

“We need the system to be completely transparent so that consumers can get the best value for money while at the same time saving energy where they can.

“These are very difficult times and we have seen energy prices going up and up. Consumers need to be confident that their energy supplier is the best one for their needs and if not, they need to be able to swap with ease.”

Ofgem is currently consulting on its proposals which were drawn up after identified competition was being stifled by a combination of complex tariffs, poor supplier behaviour and a lack of transparency.

Liberal Democrat Cambridge MP Julian Huppert signs a poster in support of the reforms

Free Energy Saving Advice For Businesses

Small businesses in Cambridge are being offered free energy saving advice including how to tap into the government’s ‘green’ grants through an event promoted by the city’s Liberal Democrats.

The drop-in event will take place at the SmartLIFE Centre following a request from East Chesterton County Councillor, Ian Manning who is concerned about the problems facing small businesses across the city.

It will take place on January 16 between 8am and 11am and offers free advice to local businesses with fewer than 250 employees.

Topics covered will include:

• Skills and the government’s new Green Deal which aims to establish a framework to enable private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements at no upfront cost, and recoup payments through a charge in instalments on the energy bill.
• Energy audit advice - take advantage of a free energy audit of your premises
• Water efficiency advice from Anglian Water and Cambridge Water
• Retrofitting housing
• Recycling Waste
• Green travel plan to work to save money.

Cllr Manning said: “I hope businesses will support this extremely worthwhile event which could help them to save money and cut their carbon footprints at the same time.”

MP Julian Huppert said "I'm pleased to support this event which backs up work we have been doing to support the character of Cambridge and small businesses in particular."

Cllr Sian Reid, leader of Cambridge City Council added: "Improving energy consumption can save small businesses money and ultimately give them more chance of surviving these tough economic times."

Second reading for "Cambridge Rule" bill

In slightly better news, a private members bill in the Houses of Parliament, which aims to allow local authorities to set higher minimum energy standards for new builds, has got a second reading.


This is nick-named the Cambridge Rule as we were the city council that tried to include such a requirement in our local planning rules but were overruled by a government inspector who felt that it was "unreasonable" to expect higher standards.


The better the build standard the lower the heating bill and the easier to keep the house warm!



The Government's support for this bill (or not) will be an indication of how real their environmental credentials are. We'll keep you posted on how things develop...