Ofwat consults on changes to business retail price caps

Ofwat is opening a six-week consultation on proposed changes to the retail price caps that apply to smaller business customers (consuming less than 0.5Ml per year) who have not engaged in the market. The proposals only affect the business retail market and do not affect household customers.

When Ofwat last reviewed these price caps in 2018/19 it committed to another review in 2-3 years’ time.

The new proposals will simplify the price caps applying to smaller business customers by moving from the existing model of price caps varying on a regional basis, to an England-wide national price cap. This will lead to price caps in some regions of England increasing, whilst in other regions price caps will decrease. On average, across all regions in England, the changes that Ofwat propose will lead to final bills for business customers on a dual (water and wastewater) metered tariff increasing by around 0.1%, before inflation.

To help manage the impact on both retailers and business customers, Ofwat proposes to set glidepaths that aim to limit annual movements in bills (upwards or downwards) to around 5%, before inflation.

Georgina Mills, Business Retail Market Director at Ofwat said:  

“This is the first time we have done a thorough review of retail costs to serve smaller business customers. Competition is working less well for smaller business customers, so our proposals aim to protect these customers whilst supporting a sustainable market where efficient retailers can earn a fair return.”

The consultation is available here https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/consultation/business-retail-market-2021-22-review-of-the-retail-exit-code-consultation-on-proposals and will be open for responses until 5pm Friday 14th October 2022.

SourceOfwat

NEWS CATEGORIES

LATEST NEWS

Steps to unlocking water data capability

The water sector has made good progress with digitisation – the capturing of data for storage and processing - writes Ruth Clarke, head of...

Steve Vick International’s innovative grout filling project for Wales & West Utilities in Aberdare

Steve Vick International's Contract Services team recently completed a challenging project in Aberdare, Wales, commissioned by Wales & West Utilities and Transport for Wales. ...

New AUMA actuators keep water in Welsh town’s taps flowing 

Water supplies to over 3,000 residents in the Welsh seaside town of Tywyn will continue to flow uninterrupted thanks to new state-of-the-art, remotely controlled...

New entry-level machine now available from Bucher Municipal

Bucher Municipal has announced a new addition to its sewer cleaner range. The new CityFlex C40 Viking unit provides an entry level product to...