Rising UK Gas Prices

EDM number 401 in 2004-05, proposed by Jim Dobbin on 15/12/2004.

That this House is concerned that wholesale forward gas prices in the UK have more than doubled and are significantly higher than in continental Europe; notes that UK intensive industrial energy users are at a serious competitive disadvantage and understands that the high price of wholesale gas impacts on their profitability and the long term viability of tens of thousands of jobs in UK manufacturing; recognises that the wholesale gas price influences domestic consumer prices and that large wholesale rises will results in increasing levels of fuel poverty; believes that continued rising gas prices will lead to fuel switching, resulting in higher levels of carbon-dioxide emissions; appreciates the importance of enabling intensive industrial energy users to plan and manage business risk effectively and is concerned that to date there has been no adequate explanation for the large movement in gas prices; acknowledges that UK industry wants a level playing field with continental Europe but no special favours; and therefore calls upon the Government to take immediate steps to restore a viable forward market in gas and for Ofgem and the Department for Trade and Industry to investigate urgently the structure and competitiveness.

This motion has been signed by a total of 135 MPs.