Wholesale energy markets, decarbonisation policy and consumers: An IPPR debate on two new reports by Which?
Article
This briefing summarises the main themes of a high-level roundtable, hosted by IPPR in July 2013, to debate the findings of two new reports on energy policy published by consumer advocate Which?, focusing on wholesale market reforms and decarbonisation policy.
Roundtable participants included senior representatives from key industry players and the energy markets regulator Ofgem, as well as MPs or senior advisers from each of the three largest political parties.
In the discussion, there was considerable disagreement in relation to one of Which?'s core recommendations for wholesale market reform: to ringfence the supply and generation businesses of vertically integrated energy companies. There were strong arguments put both for and against this controversial policy.
On decarbonisation, the discussion focused on how to improve public confidence in government policies, given the significant addition these make to consumer energy bills.
Related items

Strike while AI is hot: Rebuilding worker power for the age of AI
How worker power should be reanimated in the face of AI-driven labour market shocks.
The Europe agenda: Defence and security
In this period of geopolitical chaos, greater defence and security integration offer a fruitful way for the UK to deepen its relationship with Europe.
A tough hand: Why rising youth inactivity demands urgent action
On Thursday, new data will likely show the number of young people who will be out of education, employment or training (NEET) will surpass 1 million for the first time since 2013.