Responding to the Which? release regarding Ofgem's new rules for standardised tariffs, Energy UK said:  

“Energy companies have made great changes helping customers find the best deal available. We are pleased the survey results show an increase in customer understanding and the energy industry is continuing to work with customers and consumer groups so more people understand their bills and choices.

The Daily Mirror and Compare the Market have launched The Great British Switch campaign, which aims to hand control back to consumers by empowering them to switch energy supplier and get a better deal. The campaign calls for energy companies to scrap exit fees over the weekend of 15-16 March, as they claim that it prevents customers switching.

Energy UK urges Government to keep all EU leaders focused on energy affordability at the European Summit later this month

Balancing customer cost and continued investment in renewable energy generation across Europe should be at the core of the UK's response to the '2030 Framework', Energy UK said today. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the energy industry said it considered the binding   greenhouse gas reduction target of 40% was appropriate, but any renewables target should be EU wide. The EU target should not be divided into binding national targets, so that individual countries have the flexibility to meet the requirements as cost effectively as possible. Affordability has to be central to this work while ensuring the sector is attractive for investors.

New figures show that in February around a quarter of a million customers switched electricity deal - a figure representing around one in a hundred customers shopping around every month. Improved customer information and simpler tariffs are contributing to keeping people switching Energy UK said today. February's figures also show continuing interest in smaller suppliers showing how customers are taking advantage of healthy choice and competition.

Energy has stepped up its recruitment and investment in the next generation of apprentices joining the industry increasing the intake to 1,400 from 970 in 2010. This week marks the seventh annual National Apprenticeship Week and energy suppliers are committed to continuing their investment in the future of the energy industry by hiring trainees.

Energy companies try and make sure individual customers’ money gets back to its rightful owners. However, more commonly energy companies are owed many times more money by people who leave unpaid debts behind them.

Responding to Ofgem’s publication of new trading rules, Energy UK said;

"The energy industry believes a better working wholesale market can bring about better results for our customers. The energy industry is committed to an open, competitive market and will continue to trade fairly so customers get a good deal and real choice. The sector, across members of all sizes, has worked with Ofgem on these measures and will continue to be active partners as the reform package rolls out. Ofgem already receives information about costs and trading and we are working together on ways to make our information more easily and widely available."

The government has unveiled a series of announcements about carbon capture and storage to coincide with the Cabinet visit to the Northeast of Scotland today.

Energy UK said: “Carbon capture and storage is an important technology for dealing with carbon emissions from energy and other industries. It has been discussed for years but today’s announcement brings it closer by granting the funds for the planning stage for a full scale trial. This project promotes low carbon technologies and will help provide Britain with secure, affordable and sustainable energy into the future as well as creating a continued future for the North Sea.”

Responding to the Which? report on customer complaints, Energy UK said:

“No industry wants unhappy customers but when you are dealing with nearly 27 million customers things can occasionally go wrong. Energy companies put a great deal of effort into resolving any problems their customers may have and most complaints are fixed within a couple of working days and with no more than a phone call.

Energy UK said: “Getting help to find the best energy deal is a good thing but small businesses need to be protected from crooks trying to rip them off. We believe cracking down on the minority of rogue brokers will make costs clearer, improve customer trust and help customers make better energy choices.