UKH urges the industry to back ‘Five Asks for Ofgem’

UKHospitality is leading a rallying call for the industry to support its ‘Five Asks for Ofgem’ to rapidly implement the recommendations from its energy market review. 

In order to enact “meaningful” change within the energy market, UKH has urged Ofgem to encourage suppliers to resolve issues many businesses are facing with high energy contracts and to offer greater transparency to customers by responding quickly to complaints. 

UKH has also asked Ofgem to deliver wider access to the energy ombudsman, to also put in place measures to prevent the blacklisting of entire sectors – such as hospitality – and to improve regulation of energy brokers, including extending protections to more businesses. 

According to the organisation, this comes as energy costs continue to act as “the single most destructive inflationary pressure” facing businesses. 

As a result, UKH believes that the industry needs to unite to demonstrate the urgent need for Ofgem to move swiftly in enacting its recommendations.  

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKH, said: “Sky-high energy costs have decimated so many hospitality businesses, including those suffering from contracts fixed at prices far above current market rates.

“The Ofgem review last week was crystal clear that many of the issues facing businesses lie at the door of the energy suppliers. Whether it is refusing to renegotiate contracts, demanding enormous deposits, or simply refusing to supply the sector, it’s clear that some energy suppliers are mistreating the sector.”

She added: “That review also laid out a number of important recommendations to clean up the energy market, in particular strongly encouraging suppliers to renegotiate contracts. I would urge every business and person working within hospitality to back our #FiveAsksForOfgem and respond to the consultation. Your voice is essential.”

Hospitality businesses can show their support for swift action and back UKH’s calls by responding to the Ofgem consultation.