On Wednesday, Richard as a member of the Business and Energy Select Committee, took part in an evidence session examining issues affecting the UK Gas market, The committee also looked at government measures to support the energy industry and protect consumers.
Richard Fuller, MP for North East Bedfordshire and Member of the BEIS Select Committee, said:
During the evidence session, I asked about the responsibility of energy suppliers to review their hedging policies and step up to support the viability of their businesses, rather than putting a hand out for taxpayers' support right away.
I was very pleased to hear a robust response from the Secretary of State, Kwasi Kwarteng, who also said his main priority was to provide protection for those on lowest incomes from increased energy bills.
The session examined a selection of the issues raised by rising gas prices, including potential measures to protect consumers, the role of the regulator, support for British energy companies, and the effects on industry and consumers of recent gas price hikes.
Witnesses included Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of Energy UK; Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem; Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action; The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Joanna Whittington, Director General for Energy and Security at BEIS.
Richard's question and the answer from the Secretary of State can be watched here. The full session can be watched here.
