Miliband summons energy bosses to crunch talks on bills

LONDON — The U.K.’s leading energy retail companies will meet with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Thursday to discuss the risk of higher bills for consumers amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has invited the country’s biggest retailers to a roundtable Thursday afternoon with Miliband and Martin McCluskey, the minister responsible for energy consumers, four industry figures said.

“This roundtable will discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East and its implications for energy markets and consumers,” the government’s invite says, seen by POLITICO.

“We are keen to hear directly from suppliers about the real-world impact of global energy developments, and to ensure that the voices of those most affected by price and supply volatility are central to our policy thinking,” according to the email.

DESNZ is hoping companies will “share reflections on impacts on consumers” including consumer debt.

“This is an opportunity for open and candid dialogue, and your organisation’s perspective would be of considerable value,” the email said.

The meeting will last an hour. One of the industry figures referenced above confirmed this would be a discussion involving the most senior company executives.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed to parliament Wednesday morning that the government was “looking at a whole range of different scenarios” to help consumers hit by higher bills, including planning for “any future [energy support] package, if it were necessary.” 

The government has been approached for comment.