Stonewoods, UK
fireplace experts, has reacted to news that the Big Six suppliers of gas and
electricity could be broken up amidst price and profit investigations by
watchdogs.
The investigation, soon to be carried out by
the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over an 18month period, follows a
damning report submitted by Ofgem – the energy price regulator whose report
concluded that profits for each of the ‘Big Six’ suppliers were too high and
their prices were inflated. The
resulting high prices have taken their toll on households across the UK, with
the majority paying excessive fees for their gas and electricity.
In a
statement issued by Ofgen, chief executive Dermot Nolan, stated:
"Prices
have risen more than they should have, we believe, over the last few years.
Profits have risen, prices have risen, margins have risen. On that basis you
can say consumers have been paying too much and we need more effective
competition to drive those prices down.”
Plans to
bring the issuesto the attention of the CMA occurred in March of this year,
following Ofgem’s concurrence that the competition angle wasn’t working
properly. If the 18month investigation results in the foreseeable break down of
these major suppliers, there could be significant reductions in the fuel bills
of UK homeowners.
Wandsworth
based stove, wood burner and fireplace stockists Stonewoods regularly responds
to relevant industry news. A spokesperson for the company believes that the increase
in fuel and energy costs have been going on for far too long and that any savings
that could be passed on to those struggling to pay their bills would solve many
problems felt in the UK each year:
“As much as
price increases in gas and electricity affect businesses across our industry,
we do our best to provide energy efficiency and improve fuel consumption in the
different stoves and woodburners we stock.
“However,
even with the most efficient models, energy bills are a concern for those on
limited incomes and we believe households are paying way too much for their
energy bills. We feel that it is safe to say that the results of the
forthcoming investigation will be eagerly awaited, not just by businesses such
as ourselves but homeowners too.”
Established
for over 30 years, Stonewoods is a popular name in their industry, delivering a
high level of customer service and presenting a great range of fires, stoves,
surrounds and fireplaces. Visit www.stonewoods.co.uk
for more information.