Further to Torse’s recent efforts to elicit from Chris Huhne (UK Energy Secretary) the government’s strategy to wrest control of UK Energy supply from oligopolistic suppliers; out rolled the stock response of a current review and paraphrased abstract from Ofgem’s remit relating to protecting consumers and ensuring proper competition and wholesale power liquidity.

Call us cynical, but what else do we need to know; dubious marketing practices, flouting existing legislation, non-competitive cartel behaviour, hiding profits behind transfer pricing within the vertically integrated businesses, the list ever extends.

Where is the legislation with teeth, the consumer protection for Retail and Business, the competition, even support for the economy? The government is simplistically either, weak, collusive, simple or a combination of all these options.

The latest news from National Grid that Gas storage levels are on half empty, and we’re only half way through the winter. Surely you say, we have legislation to ensure ‘Security of Supply’? Wait for it…nobody can stop the Energy companies from selling it overseas, thereby increasing price pressures within the UK, on a flimsy notion that LNG supplies will continue to fill the gap.

Whilst the Government continues to gamble with our fragile economy, businesses and consumers have to sit with crossed figures wishing away inflationary pressures, and even hoping the lights don’t go out.

The bottom line is that deregulation is no longer working and it’s about time the government had another go soon!