ELECTRICITY COMPANIES AND THE REGULATOR

Early day motion 524, tabled 14 March 2000 by Mohammad Sarwar (Labour). Signed by 18 members.

That this House expresses concern at the reaction of the regional electricity companies to the Distribution Price Review of the Electricity Regulator, who called for price cuts of around ú15 a year in electricity charges; believes that the actions taken by the electricity companies in response to the price cut proposals are bad for the industry and bad for consumers; notes that many companies have made large-scale redundancies, indicating a short-term strategy detrimental to consumers' long-term interests; deplores the fact that thousands of redundancies have been announced over the last three months, in an industry which has already lost half its workforce since privatisation, decimating a highly skilled workforce committed to maintaining high standards of service and safety; regrets that investment in the system may be cut, compromising the health and safety of employees and the general public; anticipates that sustained power cuts will be more likely in those parts of the United Kingdom which are particularly vulnerable to storm damage; recognises that the companies have acknowledged that their actions will result in the deterioration of the UK electricity network and the possible compromise of consumers' services; urges the Government to make a public commitment to safeguarding safety, service standards and jobs in the industry; and calls upon the electricity companies to cut their profits not jobs.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Labour/Co-operative 1.