West Dunbartonshire’s MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has hit out at the UK government for its ‘abdication of responsibility’ following the collapse of Clydebank-based energy company Together Energy.
During a heated exchange in the House of Commons, SNP MP Docherty-Hughes accused the Prime Minister and Chancellor of being ‘missing in action’ after Together Energy became the 29th UK energy company to go bust in the past year.
The Clydebank company is the latest energy firm to collapse due to soaring gas prices, impacting an estimated 350 staff and 176,000 customers across the UK.
MP Docherty-Hughes has spoken with the firm’s senior management in West Dunbartonshire and been given assurances that everything possible is being done to support the employees affected into new jobs.
Energy regulator Ofgem has advised customers of Together Energy that their energy supply will continue and any credit on their accounts will be protected.
Ofgem has begun the process of selecting a new supplier, with domestic customers told it may take a number of weeks and advised they should wait before looking to switch to another supplier.
The SNP has called on the UK government to get a grip on the worsening energy crisis, with households and businesses facing record hikes to their bills when the energy price cap is expected to rise by 50% in April.
Commenting. Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“The collapse of Together Energy is a huge blow to its employees here in West Dunbartonshire and the 176,000 customers it serves across the UK.
“I’ve spoken with the senior management of the company based in Clydebank and know they are working flat out with local partners to support workers into new jobs.
“There’s been an abdication of responsibility from this Westminster government as it sits on its hands amidst a national energy crisis. A total of 29 UK energy suppliers have now gone bust in the past year, yet Boris Johnson’s government is missing in action as hundreds of jobs are lost and the UK’s cost-of-living spirals out of control.
“It’s also galling that Ofgem and the UK government have failed to support smaller energy suppliers, especially ones that have been well financed – all while the big players scoop-up new customers with inflated energy plans.
“The UK’s energy crisis falls firmly at the door of Downing Street, and they need to act now to ease the financial pressures on families facing the difficult choice between heating or eating.”
The latest advice from Ofgem to customers of Together Energy is available here.
Martin’s question in the House of Commons can be viewed below:
