Transport and energy

Transport and energy infrastructures in the UK have a significant impact on firms' operations and profitability. The costs associated with congested and unfit roads are considerable. High prices and restrictions to competition in the utilities sector add to the costs of running a business. Small firms in particular often do not have the resources necessary to negotiate lengthy and complicated contracts to ensure they are getting the best deal.

Our position

We believe that smaller businesses should have adequate means of redress when issues with utilities companies arise. We would like to see the remit of the new Consumer Focus organisation widened to include dealing with complaints from small firms.

Businesses should be able to change utilities providers easily and should not be trapped into 'rolling contracts'. Pricing should be fair and transparent, which will improve competition in the market and drive prices down.

We are against any form of congestion and road charging. In the past, we have campaigned extensively against plans for congestion charging in London and Manchester.

We are campaigning for local councils to scrap parking charges in order to encourage shoppers back to the high street.

Latest developments

Following campaigning from the FPB, Ofgem plans to end the practise of utility companies trapping customers into roll-over contracts. We submitted our views to the Ofgem consultation in May 2009.
Since Consumer Focus was established in 2008 to protect consumers, we have been in talks with various stakeholders about extending its remit to small firms.
Following extensive lobbying, we welcomed in November 2008 the decision not to introduce a congestion charge in Manchester.
We are lobbying against the proposal for a Workplace Parking Levy which would charge businesses for the employee parking they provide.
We submitted members' views to the Mersey Gateway Scheme inquiry in June 2009. Members in Runcorn and Widnes and the surrounding areas feel a new Bridge is necessary to ease congestion however an alternative funding method to tolls must be found.

Latest research

FPB utilities research January 2009 - click here to download the results.