Take action to oust energy rogues - NOW

The Morning Advertiser is calling for the plug to be pulled on rogue energy brokers that target pubs.

This week the MA launches its Action on Energy Rogues campaign to banish those third-party salesmen who use underhand tactics to tie pubs into onerous energy contracts.

The MA is calling an urgent meeting with interested parties to discuss how to oust rogue agents from the trade.

Anything that highlights the raw deal that some small businesses can get from their energy companies or wayward brokers has to be welcomed.​Energywatch spokesman Karl Brookes.

The MA wants gas and electricity suppliers to accept full responsibility for the conduct of agents selling on their behalf.

And the MA will push for small businesses to receive more protection against rogue agents and utility firms.

Advice will be offered on avoiding becoming the victim of a rogue energy agent.

In recent months scores of licensees have complained of unwittingly being locked into long-term contracts, often at steep rates, after cold-calls by third-party salesmen.

Many victims are incoming tenants, called during busy trading periods. Some agents claim falsely they are sent by the pubco and can offer rock-bottom rates.

Most recent complaints have focused on electricity supplier Opus Energy, but the problem extends to a large number of energy firms.

In one shocking case highlighted by the MA this month, an agent appeared to have doctored the voice - supposedly that of a licensee - on a recording of a verbal contract.

Action on Energy Rogues is welcomed by Energywatch and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which are both campaigning for businesses to be treated more fairly by energy suppliers and brokers.

Energywatch spokesman Karl Brookes said: "Anything that highlights the raw deal that some small businesses can get from their energy companies or wayward brokers has to be welcomed.​

"This campaign is a useful contribution to a debate that needs to be ongoing in order to ensure small businesses get a fairer deal."

FSB spokesman Matthew Knowles said: "Energy supply has become a serious issue for many small businesses, especially in the pub trade. ​

"There is a need for more consumer protection for small businesses in dealing with energy suppliers."

A spokesman for the Utilities Intermediaries Association (UIA), a trade group promoting best practice among energy brokers and agents, said: "We hear of too many instances of bad practice within the agent market. ​

"The UIA fully supports the MA in its efforts to eliminate these organisations from the market place."

All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group secretary Robert Humphreys added support.

"Anything that drives out this wholly unprofessional practice has to be worthwhile," said Humphreys.

"We will be looking to see what help we can give to support the campaign."​

The MA is urging licensees affected by these issues to join our campaign. Email John Harrington​ or call him on 01293 610481 if you have experienced rogue energy agents.