House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Stronger Protections and a Better Deal for Energy Consumers – TPI Regulation and Consultations on Strengthening the Energy Ombudsman and Business Smart-Contingent Contracts
23 October 2025 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Proposed by Martin McCluskey Lab Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Government is publishing its response to the consultation on Third-Party Intermediaries.
- Two new consultations are being launched to strengthen the Energy Ombudsman and standardise business energy contracts linked to smart meters.
- Ofgem will be appointed as the regulator for TPIs when parliamentary time allows.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the government's plans to deliver stronger protections for energy consumers through the regulation of Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs) and standardising business energy contracts linked to smart meters, as well as strengthening the Energy Ombudsman.
Action requested
The Government is publishing its response to the consultation on TPIs, launching two new consultations on strengthening the Energy Ombudsman and standardising business energy contracts linked to smart meters. Additionally, it plans to regulate TPIs by appointing Ofgem as regulator when parliamentary time allows and enhance the Energy Ombudsman's ability to enforce rulings.
Key facts
- The Government intends to directly regulate Third-Party Intermediaries including Energy Brokers by appointing Ofgem as regulator.
- Consultations will standardise business energy contracts linked to smart meters, with suppliers needing to coordinate rollouts and follow a customer protection code from 2027.
- Proposals aim to strengthen the Energy Ombudsman's ability to enforce rulings, halve escalation times for consumer complaints to four weeks, and reduce decision time to four weeks.