Citizens Advice welcomes Ofgem proposal for new independent body to run Britain's energy system

Citizens Advice, the official consumer watchdog for energy, has welcomed the energy regulator Ofgem’s proposal for an independent body which will fully separate the running of Britain’s energy system from the National Grid, and lead the way towards net zero.

Alistair Cromwell, Acting Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“The introduction of a separate body to run the electricity and gas systems should give consumers more confidence that the advice given, and decisions taken, will be in their interests. 

“This should lead to lower bills and an efficient transition to net zero. But the new Independent System Operator - as advocated by Ofgem - needs to have  the right structure, responsibilities and capabilities to enable it to make the best decisions for all of us.”

Notes to editors

  1. Citizens Advice includes the national charity; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.

  2. Citizens Advice is the statutory consumer advocate for energy and post. We provide supplier performance information to consumers and policy analysis to decision makers.

  3. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free, independent support for prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court in England and Wales.

  4. Citizens Advice offers Pension Wise services at 500 locations in England and Wales.

  5. Citizens Advice’s services are free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to all regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  6. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice, visit citizensadvice.org.uk

  7. For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 to talk in Welsh.

  8. We helped 2.6 million people face to face, by phone, email and webchat in 2017-18. For service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.

  9. Citizens Advice staff are supported by over 23,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 locations in England and Wales.