With energy support set to be significantly reduced from 1 April, the trade body is asking the regulator to tackle what it says is ‘the reckless behaviour’ of energy suppliers that are offering rates well above wholesale prices, as well as raising standing charges, demanding large deposits, and, in some cases, refusing to work with hospitality.
It is calling for Ofgem to publish the outcome of its inquiry into the non-domestic market as soon as possible and ‘name and shame’ the businesses considered to have acted in bad faith. All examples of bad practice should be penalised and businesses able to renegotiate or cancel terms, and be able to seek compensation where appropriate, it says.
UKHospitality is also demanding that energy suppliers that have customers on fixed contracts at over double the Government’s floor price be compelled to offer a renegotiation of contracts as well as an end to blanket withdrawal of quotes to sectors. A refusal to quote should only be on the basis of individual business circumstances, it says.Where Ofgem does not currently have these permissions, it should ask Government to legislate to allow it to intervene in this way.
“The behaviour of energy suppliers over the past four months has been nothing short of disgraceful. It’s clear some rogue companies saw the significant intervention by the Government to support business as nothing more than a cash cow,” says UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls.
“Day after day, we get more reports from businesses with another example of how an energy supplier is demanding outrageous sums of money to secure a contract on sky-high terms or, even worse, won’t even engage on a contract simply because a business works in hospitality.
“I’m pleased that the Government took our reports about this situation seriously and that Ofgem began its inquiry. However, we now need to see the conclusion of that investigation and urgent action as soon as possible. With support being greatly reduced from April, businesses are heading into the most perilous financial position yet.
“The worst culprits should be named and shamed by the regulator and all suppliers that have engaged in this sort of behaviour should be compelled to go back to their customers to renegotiate their prices.
“If businesses don’t have a route to renegotiate, thousands will be stuck on extortionate fixed tariffs that they were heavily encouraged to agree to.
“With a positive resolution, we can see our sector bounce-back quickly and return to the economic growth, job creation and investment it is known for. If energy suppliers are allowed to continue to conduct themselves in such an unfair manner, without fear of reprisal, businesses will fail across the sector and across the country as a result.”
