New Report Brings to Light Raw Deal for the People of Wales

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd May 2008

As the household budgets of many families tighten across Wales, a damning report published by energywatch today reveals how the people of Wales are paying more for their electricity supplies than people of England and Scotland.

Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Chair of the Assembly Sustainability committee, said:

"Energy prices in this country have been soaring for the last few years but this report today brings to light the disparity in electricity bills between north and south Wales, and between Wales and the rest of the UK.

"The report states that consumers in South Wales pay around 5% more for electricity than consumers in North Wales - equivalent to £20 a year. People in South Wales pay a considerable 10% more than people in England - equivalent to around £35 a year.  The people of Wales, especially South Wales are getting a raw deal.

"The cost of living continues to increase, I am worried for those who will not be able to cope with the mounting pressure on the household purse.

"How can the energy companies justify charging people from Wrexham and Cardiff more for their electricity than people in Leeds and Bristol?

"It's not fair that the people of Wales have to pay an average of 10% more for energy bills  - particularly when Wales has a lower average income compared to the rest of the UK.

"There is more than enough evidence in this report for the Competition Commission to look into the pricing mechanism so that Wales won't be left in the cold.

"I am calling on Jane Davidson, the Minister for Sustainable Development to make sure that she will do all that she can to ensure that the people of Wales are not unfairly disadvantaged."