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

Partner to scale: How international collaboration can enable the green transition
Scaling clean industrial technologies requires a shift from fragmented national strategies to targeted, durable international cooperation.
The Europe agenda: Trade and integration
This briefing note explores the options for the UK to deepen the trading relationship and sets out a proposed path forward.
Brexit 10 years on: Time the North took back control through devolution
Why does 'take back control' not extend to devolution?