The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will investigate whether the “big six” energy suppliers were anti-competitive and manipulated the price of energy sold to consumers.
Energy regulator Ofgem says it is “tearing down barriers to competition” with the introduction of new rules to benefit independent suppliers in the energy sector.
Energy giant SSE is set to make a £1.54 billion profit this year, an increase of 8.8% on 2012/13, and increase payouts to its shareholders after announcing a sharp increase in energy bills for customers.
Lower energy prices are unlikely. The benefits of a sizable shale gas industry will be in terms of energy security, jobs in the UK and the economic contribution of producing gas here in the UK rather than importing it.