Energy firms in £2bn broker claim

ENERGY firms are facing more than £2bn in potential compensation claims from millions of organisations and businesses over allegations they inflated customers’ bills by paying secret commissions to brokers.

Law firm harcus parker has written to British Gas in the first stage of what it aims to be a group litigation to reclaim the undisclosed commission payments.

Similar letters will also be sent to other suppliers including Eon and SSE.

Those affected include small businesses as well as care homes, schools and charities.

Energy regulator ofgem is understood to be working with the Government to regulate brokers that arrange gas and electricity contracts for small and medium-sized businesses, the Sunday times reported.

A British gas spokesman said: ‘We offer business customers competitive prices if they come to us directly, and we have complied with the regulation regarding transparency disclosures at all times.’