Latest news with #AndrewMilligan
South Wales Argus
13 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Centrica calls for new customer ban on rival Octopus amid row over Ofgem rules
Chief executive Chris O'Shea claimed it was 'criminal' that Ofgem has not stepped in to take action against three firms that are understood to have failed to meet financial resilience targets – with Britain's biggest energy supplier Octopus among them. He demanded that the regulator stops the suppliers from taking on new customers, claiming that Ofgem is not properly enforcing the rule that came into force earlier this year. This could leave the sector at risk of another possible future wave of firms going bust, similar to that seen in the 2021-22 energy crisis, he warned. Centrica chief executive Chris O'Shea (Andrew Milligan/PA) On announcing half-year results, Mr O'Shea said: 'Ofgem is not applying its own rules. 'They're increasing the risk of systemic failure in the market.' He said it was 'criminal' that Ofgem is putting the industry in a 'situation where that could happen again'. 'It's simply about protecting customers and asking the regulator to enforce its own rules,' he added. Ofgem has not revealed which suppliers have failed the test, but Octopus – which supplies more than seven million households – has confirmed it did not meet the targets for capital adequacy by the April 1 deadline. It said it has, however, agreed a plan with Ofgem to reach the target, which means it is not in breach of the rules. An Octopus Energy spokesperson said: 'This is yet more naked self-interest from British Gas. 'They would do well to obsess about their customers rather than their rivals. They added: 'We fully comply with Ofgem's rules and our resilience meant we not only thrived through the energy crisis but bailed out Bulb – saving British billpayers billions.' Ofgem also confirmed that firms that have agreed a plan to meet resilience targets are not breaching its rules and therefore do not need to have sanctions put on them, such as being banned from taking on new customers. A spokesperson for Ofgem said: 'Our financial resilience controls are clear that where a supplier is not meeting the capital target but has a credible and agreed plan in place that is not a breach of the rules. 'Capitalisation plans come with restrictions and controls. We expect suppliers to deliver on those plans and adhere to their restrictions and are monitoring closely.'
Western Telegraph
13 hours ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Centrica calls for new customer ban on rival Octopus amid row over Ofgem rules
Chief executive Chris O'Shea claimed it was 'criminal' that Ofgem has not stepped in to take action against three firms that are understood to have failed to meet financial resilience targets – with Britain's biggest energy supplier Octopus among them. He demanded that the regulator stops the suppliers from taking on new customers, claiming that Ofgem is not properly enforcing the rule that came into force earlier this year. This could leave the sector at risk of another possible future wave of firms going bust, similar to that seen in the 2021-22 energy crisis, he warned. Centrica chief executive Chris O'Shea (Andrew Milligan/PA) On announcing half-year results, Mr O'Shea said: 'Ofgem is not applying its own rules. 'They're increasing the risk of systemic failure in the market.' He said it was 'criminal' that Ofgem is putting the industry in a 'situation where that could happen again'. 'It's simply about protecting customers and asking the regulator to enforce its own rules,' he added. Ofgem has not revealed which suppliers have failed the test, but Octopus – which supplies more than seven million households – has confirmed it did not meet the targets for capital adequacy by the April 1 deadline. It said it has, however, agreed a plan with Ofgem to reach the target, which means it is not in breach of the rules. Our financial resilience controls are clear that where a supplier is not meeting the capital target but has a credible and agreed plan in place that is not a breach of the rules Ofgem An Octopus Energy spokesperson said: 'This is yet more naked self-interest from British Gas. 'They would do well to obsess about their customers rather than their rivals. They added: 'We fully comply with Ofgem's rules and our resilience meant we not only thrived through the energy crisis but bailed out Bulb – saving British billpayers billions.' Ofgem also confirmed that firms that have agreed a plan to meet resilience targets are not breaching its rules and therefore do not need to have sanctions put on them, such as being banned from taking on new customers. A spokesperson for Ofgem said: 'Our financial resilience controls are clear that where a supplier is not meeting the capital target but has a credible and agreed plan in place that is not a breach of the rules. 'Capitalisation plans come with restrictions and controls. We expect suppliers to deliver on those plans and adhere to their restrictions and are monitoring closely.'
Glasgow Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Centrica calls for new customer ban on rival Octopus amid row over Ofgem rules
Chief executive Chris O'Shea claimed it was 'criminal' that Ofgem has not stepped in to take action against three firms that are understood to have failed to meet financial resilience targets – with Britain's biggest energy supplier Octopus among them. He demanded that the regulator stops the suppliers from taking on new customers, claiming that Ofgem is not properly enforcing the rule that came into force earlier this year. This could leave the sector at risk of another possible future wave of firms going bust, similar to that seen in the 2021-22 energy crisis, he warned. Centrica chief executive Chris O'Shea (Andrew Milligan/PA) On announcing half-year results, Mr O'Shea said: 'Ofgem is not applying its own rules. 'They're increasing the risk of systemic failure in the market.' He said it was 'criminal' that Ofgem is putting the industry in a 'situation where that could happen again'. 'It's simply about protecting customers and asking the regulator to enforce its own rules,' he added. Ofgem has not revealed which suppliers have failed the test, but Octopus – which supplies more than seven million households – has confirmed it did not meet the targets for capital adequacy by the April 1 deadline. It said it has, however, agreed a plan with Ofgem to reach the target, which means it is not in breach of the rules. An Octopus Energy spokesperson said: 'This is yet more naked self-interest from British Gas. 'They would do well to obsess about their customers rather than their rivals. They added: 'We fully comply with Ofgem's rules and our resilience meant we not only thrived through the energy crisis but bailed out Bulb – saving British billpayers billions.' Ofgem also confirmed that firms that have agreed a plan to meet resilience targets are not breaching its rules and therefore do not need to have sanctions put on them, such as being banned from taking on new customers. A spokesperson for Ofgem said: 'Our financial resilience controls are clear that where a supplier is not meeting the capital target but has a credible and agreed plan in place that is not a breach of the rules. 'Capitalisation plans come with restrictions and controls. We expect suppliers to deliver on those plans and adhere to their restrictions and are monitoring closely.'
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Officers considering legal action against Police Scotland over Trump visit plans
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents 98% of all police officers in Scotland, said the force has already breached health and safety standards in the run up to the visit by the US president. Thousands of officers are expected to be involved in what Police Scotland has described as a 'significant policing operation'. The White House confirmed Mr Trump will visit his golf courses in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire between July 25 and 29. Thousands of officers are expected to be impacted by Donald Trump's five-day visit to Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA) He will meet the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the First Minister John Swinney during his private trip. The visit is likely to result in widespread protests, following similar demonstrations during his last visit to Scotland. David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, suggested planning for the visit has already put officers at risk. He said: 'We currently have workforce agreements in place to protect police officers and provide minimum standards of Health and Safety at work. 'Sadly, we have seen these agreements breached in the days leading to the arrival of Potus (President of the United States) and as such we are seeking legal advice regarding potential legal action against the service.' Speaking to STV News, Mr Kennedy said he had 'major concerns' about the plans to police Mr Trump's trip. He told the broadcaster: 'We do not have enough police officers in Scotland. 'Anyone that says we do, I don't know where they get those figures from. 'We know what police officers have to do day in, day out and we need more officers in Scotland. 'When these events come along that puts those officers that are here under so much pressure.' David Kennedy said the Scottish Police Federation is looking at legal action against Police Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA) Police Scotland said earlier this month it would seek help from the Scottish and UK Governments over the 'considerable' cost of policing the visit. It has also asked for support from Northern Ireland's police force, the PSNI. There had been speculation the King would host the American leader in Scotland after a meeting was suggested at Balmoral or Dumfries House, in a letter he wrote to Mr Trump in February inviting him to make the state visit. But it is understood that both sides will wait until the president's official state visit later this year. Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said: 'We are working closely with the Scottish Police Federation to address any concerns they may have.' A spokesperson for the PSNI said: 'There are well established processes for any UK-based police services to request support from other services at times of peak demand. 'These requests are managed via the National Police Co-ordination Centre (NPoCC) and we can confirm that PSNI have received a request to provide mutual aid to Police Scotland which we are currently assessing. 'The decision to provide officers under the mutual aid process will be considered against our own demands, ensuring that we retain the capacity to respond effectively to local issues and maintain our own operational competence.'
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Officers considering legal action against Police Scotland over Trump visit plans
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents 98% of all police officers in Scotland, said the force has already breached health and safety standards in the run up to the visit by the US president. Thousands of officers are expected to be involved in what Police Scotland has described as a 'significant policing operation'. The White House confirmed Mr Trump will visit his golf courses in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire between July 25 and 29. Thousands of officers are expected to be impacted by Donald Trump's five-day visit to Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA) He will meet the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the First Minister John Swinney during his private trip. The visit is likely to result in widespread protests, following similar demonstrations during his last visit to Scotland. David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, suggested planning for the visit has already put officers at risk. He said: 'We currently have workforce agreements in place to protect police officers and provide minimum standards of Health and Safety at work. 'Sadly, we have seen these agreements breached in the days leading to the arrival of Potus (President of the United States) and as such we are seeking legal advice regarding potential legal action against the service.' Speaking to STV News, Mr Kennedy said he had 'major concerns' about the plans to police Mr Trump's trip. He told the broadcaster: 'We do not have enough police officers in Scotland. 'Anyone that says we do, I don't know where they get those figures from. 'We know what police officers have to do day in, day out and we need more officers in Scotland. 'When these events come along that puts those officers that are here under so much pressure.' David Kennedy said the Scottish Police Federation is looking at legal action against Police Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA) Police Scotland said earlier this month it would seek help from the Scottish and UK Governments over the 'considerable' cost of policing the visit. It has also asked for support from Northern Ireland's police force, the PSNI. There had been speculation the King would host the American leader in Scotland after a meeting was suggested at Balmoral or Dumfries House, in a letter he wrote to Mr Trump in February inviting him to make the state visit. But it is understood that both sides will wait until the president's official state visit later this year. Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said: 'We are working closely with the Scottish Police Federation to address any concerns they may have.' A spokesperson for the PSNI said: 'There are well established processes for any UK-based police services to request support from other services at times of peak demand. 'These requests are managed via the National Police Co-ordination Centre (NPoCC) and we can confirm that PSNI have received a request to provide mutual aid to Police Scotland which we are currently assessing. 'The decision to provide officers under the mutual aid process will be considered against our own demands, ensuring that we retain the capacity to respond effectively to local issues and maintain our own operational competence.'
