Residents Lose Energy Price Watchdog

12.27.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Oct 2008

Residents who have problems with doorstep salesmen from energy suppliers, or disputes over payment difficulties, at a time of high prices, will no longer have the protection of the consumer watchdog, Energywatch. Energywatch was abolished on 1st October and its replacement, a body called Consumer Focus, will not be able to receive individual complaints.

Vincent Cable MP said that: "In the last few years I have had large numbers of complaints from residents mainly in connection with doorstep misselling: aggressive salesmen trying to persuade customers to switch suppliers for benefits which prove to be non-existent. Until now there was some backup for complaints from Energywatch. From now on, customers are on their own.

"I, therefore, urge anyone who has trouble with energy companies to contact me. I can write directly to the senior management of the companies or name-and-shame them if it is a really bad case."