DESNZ announces changes for Ofgem
Today, 22 April 2026, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced changes to “strengthen” the powers of Ofgem, the energy regulator. It claims these new powers will make the regulator more of a “consumer champion”.
Really?!
A consumer champion fights for consumer rights. They empower consumers by informing them of their rights and how to assert them, regardless of anything else. It is not Ofgem’s role to do this. A regulator’s role is to balance a competitive market and economic growth with consumer protection.
Anyway, let’s look at their claims in more detail…
”Stronger protections” and “faster redress”?
DESNZ says that it will reform Ofgem to provide “stronger protections” for consumers. It says that households will be supported with faster redress if they are let down by their supplier. But most complaints about energy suppliers are already dealt with by the Energy Ombudsman. Ofgem currently looks at systemic issues, failures and patterns of harm, it does not deal with individual complaints but with more puff and nonsense the announcement makes no reference to this fact.
Without any details of specific changes to how complaints are resolved, redress timescales or oversight of complaint handling by the regulator, there is a risk of consumers having expectations raised only to be dashed. Consumers now need explicit details about any changes to the complaints process.
Incentives?
Ultimately, although there may eventually be changes to how a business behaves overall, what actual difference will this make for consumers who have a complaint about their supplier? Zilch, I would suggest. Furthermore, there is absolutely nothing in this announcement about changes for small businesses, who are also suffering at the hands of energy suppliers.
The DESNZ also says that energy executives will be incentivised to act in consumers’ best interests. Well, it will be interesting to see how that is going to work against their current incentives for acting in the companies’ best interests, which is making money!
Reforms?
Finally, it announced “Reforms to the regulator’s remit to focus on economic and consumer protection”. That will be its current job then. DESNZ has said that Ofgem will be given the ability to regulate in new areas of the market “if needed”. Well, it is certainly needed in areas such as energy brokers, price comparison websites, heating oil, solar installers, EV, etc
My view on proposed Ofgem changes
Ofgem was founded in 2000. DESNZ believes that the regulator can and will be transformed and that energy consumers will be treated fairly, including measures to guarantee good practice in the market.
I am frankly rather cynical about most of this. However, there are promises of the regulator receiving stronger powers of enforcement, so that it does not have to go through “lengthy court processes” to make sure customers get what they are owed if they have been treated unfairly. But much of its enforcement is about regulation and not about getting money back for consumers.
I like the fact that the DESNZ says that Ofgem will be given powers to ban energy company bosses’ bonuses if they break the rules, but will believe it when I see it. We are yet to see it happen with water bosses, as promised a year ago.
I am available for media interviews and commentary on consumer issues. See my consumer rights expert media appearances and commentary.
Take me to your leader!
Jonathan Brearley was the Ofgem CEO until the end of March 2026. Today, more than 3 weeks on, the Ofgem website still lists him as the CEO, with no mention of Tim Jarvis, who is the interim CEO.
So, you’ll excuse me for saying “don’t hold your breath” for changes for consumers when Ofgem can’t even update its own website promptly to reflect the organisation’s new leadership!
The overview of the Ofgem changes on TikTok
@thecomplainingcow The government says it is transforming Ofgem into a consumer champion. But will this actually lead to faster complaints? Follow for consumer rights updates. #ofgem #energy #consumerrights #energybills #complaints
DESNZ announcement
Here is the DESNZ announcement of 22 April 2026:
Ofgem transformed to strengthen protections for energy consumers
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