Ofgem shows its teeth again.

UK Energy regulator Ofgem will fine the UK utility company Npower (owned by the German utility company RWE) two million pounds for mishandling customer complaints.
It appears that an investigation found that Npower complaint handling was inadequate and that in particular it had failed those customers whose complaints were not resolved satisfactorily. In the UK there are Complaint handling regulations covering the treatment which domestic and some business energy customers should expect from their energy suppliers should they find it necessary to raise a complaint.  Ofgem appear to have determined that Npower failed in its duties to these customers where they did not provide details on how to proceed. In in particular did not provide details of the services offered by the Energy Ombudsman. Ofgem have said that they believe Npower has now addressed all these concerns.

This comes barely three months after the regulator fined British Gas the country's biggest household energy supplier, 2.5 million pounds for similar breaches and comes with a warning that EDF is also performing poorly in this regard and action against these may be imminent.

It is easy to see this, particularly when it is portrayed as such, as a Government victory for the consumer against greedy energy companies and it may be true in some cases. There has been a heap of talk about the big six operating much like a cartel and the proposed solution is to widen the market and increase competition. But lets not forget that the energy companies are also in a difficult position.

These companies are required to provide a range of services to suit a range of customer budgets and tastes and are required to market them in a manner that befits their nature as commercial enterprises. To do anything else would find them operating inefficiently which in the current climate they would not do for long. Where they are successful and are showing profits they are vilified in a way reminiscent of bankers.

Cork Monkey feels that the battle lines are drawn in the wrong place. More companies entering the market would not increase competition for long – before long there would be buyouts and takeovers, lawyers and stockbrokers would make a mint and it is difficult to see how prices and quality of service would head in the appropriate directions.

Perhaps we need to decide if something that affects this many people is the sort of thing that should be delivered by companies or be controlled by the state and live with the consequences of whatever decisions are taken.

CM

GNT, BST or CET?

Last night British Summer Time ended at 2am, but if a new Daylight Saving Bill goes ahead it could bring the UK into line with Central European Time (CET) for a trial period of up to three years. This would mean lighter winter evenings, which some claim would cut road deaths, boost tourism, reduce energy use, reduce our carbon footprint... you get the picture.

Opposition from devolved authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could see the plans dropped and any proposed changes are likely to face some opposition from Scots who fear the changes could have the opposite affect to those claimed as more of their  their 'waking hours' become hours of darkness. Again the arguments are easy to understand.

This is not a clear cut issue and their is no east answer. How best to make use of changes in summer and winter daylight patterns has been debated by British Governments since the early 1900s.

During the Second World War the Government moved the clocks forward one hour to maximise productivity in English factories and allow people to get home safely before the wartime blackout necessary to stop the Germans destroying London and other major cities.

There were further attempts between 1968 and 1971 the Government carried out a similar experiment which ended after complaints about accidents in Scotland and northern England who found they were living in the dark much of the day.

So a case for the status quo, a North South divide or a clear  case for change – you decide – enter our free poll (no data except your answers is collected or used by CM).  

CM

M25 is 25

The media is reporting that, love it or hate it, The M25 is celebrating its 25th birthday. The 116-mile (188km) orbital motorway that rings London has reached its silver anniversary.

It took a dozen years to years to build, cost over a billion quid, used more than two million tonnes of concrete and three and half million tonnes of asphalt. The final section was opened by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in October 1986

Now isn’t that the longest traffic Jam in the world?

CM

So the protesters outside St Pauls see themselves in the role of Jesus upsetting the tables of the moneychangers in the temple.

While I applaud the general thrust of their ire - bankers and the like are due a little stick - this may be another example of how good causes are hijacked by those prepared to use any means to justify how they choose to get their jollies without understanding what they are doing or the arguments they are using.

Jesus - as I recall - was hacked off that the temple was not being used as such because all the non religous activity that was taking place made that impossible.

 This means guys that you are not on the side of the angels - but are on the same side as the bankers!

CM