27 September 2005
A consumer watchdog is making a plea to the Labour party conference in Brighton today over the price of gas and electricity.
Energywatch, the utilities consumer group, says that consumers and businesses are paying too much for energy, even though supplies are plentiful and energy companies are making massive profits.
Simultaneously, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) will warn of the negative effect high oil prices are having on business.
CBI head Sir Digby Jones will speak with energy minister Malcolm Wickes and relay to him the seriousness of the situation.
Energywatch chief executive Allan Asher said: "Every business - from the smallest corner shop to the largest factory - is suffering.
"Something is seriously wrong when British businesses and taxpayers are having to pay so much more for their energy, while the big offshore producers are awash with revenue.
"The problem is that the market is broken, and unless it's fixed it will only get worse."
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