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UK: Labour Party wants Ofgem included in CMA energy inquiry

By  |  May 21, 2014

Shadow energy and climate change secretary Caroline Flint has reportedly sent a letter to the UK’s Competition and Market Authority asking the authority to include energy watchdog Ofgem in its inquiry into the energy industry ahead of the CMA’s decision on whether to open a formal market probe or not.

Reports say the Labour Party’s Flint has the backing of consumer watchdog Which? in her efforts to include Ofgem in the case. The energy regulator has been accused of lobbying to remain out of the case, but Ofgem denies these claims.

Flint argues that it is vital to the success of the market probe to include Ofgem in the process. The CMA, along with the former Office of Fair Trading, have already expressed concern over the state of competition in the energy industry, currently under fire by consumer groups for rising costs and alleged dominance by the so-called Big Six energy firms. The CMA is currently accepting comments on the case until Friday.

Full content: The Guardian

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