MAKE THE CONNECTION

Early day motion 251, tabled 22 November 2006 by Jennifer Willott (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 117 members.

That this House welcomes the Make the Connection joint campaign by energywatch and the Federation of Small Businesses to get a better deal for small businesses from the energy market; recognises that small businesses get far less protection from regulation and industry codes of practice than domestic energy consumers, which can lead to them experiencing significant problems in the market; notes that incidences of mis-selling by energy suppliers such as those highlighted in the BBC's Watchdog programme on 24th October 2006 can cause particular detriment to small businesses due to the lack of a cooling-off period in business energy contracts; and calls on business energy suppliers to acknowledge and address this situation and to recognise the importance of small businesses as energy customers, as they spend more than £3 billion each year on gas and electricity.

Signatures by party: Labour 47, Liberal Democrat 41, Conservative 20, DUP 5, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.