ENERGY MARKET LEAVES EUROPEAN COMMISSION COLD

10.09.39am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 6th Apr 2006

Sharon Bowles MEP for the South East has welcomed the Commission's decision to take action against national governments who have so far failed to properly enact European legislation which seeks to open up EU energy markets.

Sharon Bowles said "The Commission's decision comes at a time when high gas prices are leaving us all cold. Consumers and businesses have so far been let down. Under New Labour price increases have become all too commonplace with an average increase since 2003 of £335 on gas and electricity bills. A fully liberalised market across the EU would mean more competition and lead to cheaper prices for customers."

"I have long been pushing the Commission to take decisive action because warnings alone have clearly not worked."

"I am pleased to see many of the countries which export gas to the UK are on the list. The Commission is currently investigating possible market abuse after it became apparent that gas pipelines to the UK were below full capacity over the winter despite extremely high prices.

"If properly in place this European legislation will all see the benefit of lower prices."

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