02 December 2005
The watchdogs in the energy and postal industries, Energywatch and Postwatch, have hit back after being branded 'feeble' by the Commons Public Accounts Committee in a report this week.
PAC chair Edward Leigh said that five years after their creation 'only a tiny proportion of the public' had heard of the two bodies in spite of continuing dissatisfaction with services.
Energywatch said that it was surprised by the 'stark conclusion' from the PAC report. 'We believe we have become even more effective for consumers since the PAC inquiry in January 2005 and, consequently, are struggling to recognise the descriptions given,' it said.
Postwatch said that while the report 'makes a number of important points', much of the information on which its conclusions were based was now out of date. It did agree that its public profile needed to be higher.
The PAC recommended that the two organisations should carry out research on what consumers want and not just rely on complaints; record and report on compensation won for consumers; and be more innovative in communicating with the public.
Leigh said: 'Energywatch and Postwatch need to stop stuttering along and start firing on all cylinders.'
He added they also needed to look hard for ways of cutting their 'unjustifiably escalating' overhead costs. The report says that both bodies should leave their expensive headquarters to cut costs.
In the three years to March 31 2004, Energywatch spent £57m and Postwatch £27m. The costs are borne by a levy on the companies in the energy and postal industries.
PFdec2005
