Energy bills – landmark change on 1 October to remove hidden charges to businesses

Saturday 1 October 2022, we will see a landmark change in the energy market.

Many businesses instruct brokers to procure their gas and electricity supply but, what many brokers fail to tell their business clients, is that they are being paid a commission which is linked to that business’s consumption, and which is paid by that business through their energy bills.

From 1 October, businesses will be able to request details of commissions paid or payable to brokers, via their energy supply contracts, directly from their energy supplier.

This change, instigated by OFGEM as part of its 2022 decision and package of reforms, will help eradicate the hidden commission practices of countless brokers within the market.

We act on behalf of many businesses who seek to recover undisclosed commissions paid to brokers. Claims range considerably in value, but it’s not uncommon to see commission charges making up over 25% of a business’s spending on energy without their knowledge.

Our specialist energy claims lawyers have acted for businesses in a number of different sectors – including football clubs, agriculture, manufacturing, distilleries, and publishing. They are dealing with claims ranging from £10,000 to £1m.

The team are now encouraging micro-businesses to make use of the new reforms, launched tomorrow, to request details of commissions they’ve paid, and seek redress where appropriate.

Small business owners, who think they may have been wrongly charged commission for their gas and energy supply, can contact our Energy Claims team for advice.