WEST MIDLANDS MP BACKS UNION’S BATTLE
WITH ENERGY REGULATOR
GMB members working in the gas and electricit industries
have welcomed the support received from a West Midlands MP in their battle to stave off threats
to their pensions.
Bruce George, MP for Walsall South, tabled a parliamentary motion heavily riticizing
Ofgem, the energy regulator, after being contacted by local members of the GMB union worried about the effect of Ofgem proposals
on their pensions. GMB has launched a campaign calling on Ofgem to stop interfering with the pension schemes of gas and electricity
workers and to concentrate instead on taking action to reduce gas and electricity prices.
Speaking on behalf of the hundreds of gas and electricity workers who demonstrated against Ofgem outside the Houses
of Parliament this week, Joe Morgan, Regional Secretary for GMB in Birmingham and the West Midlands said: “Bruce George has not only shown he cares about pensions,
but he cares about how local people can afford to heat their homes when fuel prices are sky-high. He understands that people
are worried about the economy, about meeting their bills, and about securing their future in retirement. It’s a great
pity that Ofgem, the ineffective energy regulator, doesn’t share those concerns too.”
Adding his voice to the criticism of Ofgem, GMB National Secretary Gary Smith said: “Bruce George’s early day motion gives MPs the opportunity to put pressure on Ofgem to focus on doing
its job properly. Instead of meddling in our members’ pension schemes, Ofgem needs to take immediate action to force
through much-needed price reductions in gas and electricity.”
- Ends
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Contact: Martin Hird: GMB Birmingham & West Midlands Regional Political
Officer 0121 550 4888, Samantha Jones, GMB Birmingham & West Midlands
Regional Media Administrator 0121 550 4888, Gary Smith, GMB National Secretary 07710 618909
Note to editors:
The following Early Day Motion was tabled by Bruce George MP on 19th January 2009:
EDM 489
Ofgem
19.01.09
George, Bruce
That this House is deeply concerned that Ofgem, the energy regulator, continues to focus
unnecessary attention on the pension schemes of workers in the gas and electricity industries; notes that despite the massive
recent fall in the price of oil, the regulator has failed to exert sufficient pressure on the energy companies to reduce retail
prices to hard-pressed consumers; is dismayed at the continuation of Ofgem’s light touch regulatory approach towards
the energy market; further notes that this approach contrasts sharply with it’s persistent attempts to interfere with
the occupational pension schemes of gas and electricity workers; and calls upon Ofgem to abandon its ill-conceived preoccupation
with these pension schemes, and concentrate instead on taking swift and decisive action to regulate the energy market effectively
and fulfill its primary duty to protect consumers.
33 MPs have signed the EDM within the first 48 hours it was available.
GMB members employed in the gas and electricity industries held a demonstration and
meeting to protest against Ofgem at the House of Commons on Tuesday 20 January 2009.
