Consumer Protection
48.The provisions in this Chapter are aimed at directly supporting consumers’ interests by reforming the tariffs available to them and providing a means of direct redress from energy companies. The provisions establish powers for the Secretary of State to establish a tariff regime for gas and electricity suppliers that will ensure consumers are on the cheapest deal from their supplier that meets their preferences. They allow the Secretary of State to extend the licence regime governed by the Authority to third-party intermediaries, such as switching websites. They also introduce a new enforcement power to require energy companies which breach licence conditions to provide redress to consumers.
