Response to the government summary on regulation Third-Party Intermediaries in the retail energy market.

We welcome the government’s commitment to bringing in regulation of Third-Party Intermediaries in the Retail Energy Market. It’s a long overdue move that will help drive higher standards, greater accountability, and ultimately better outcomes for energy customers.

While many like us in the industry have already embraced self-regulation and committed to best practice, the reality is that too many rogue brokers continue to operate unchecked, charging extortionate and often hidden fees that offer little value in return. This undermines trust across the sector and penalises the very organisations we should be supporting.

Every industry performs better when transparency, honesty, and a customer-first mindset are prioritised. We’ve seen the benefits first-hand of putting our customers at the heart of what we do, building long-term, two-way relationships based on mutual benefit. It’s this trust that allows us to better understand and meet our customers’ evolving needs, including helping them navigate the often-complex decisions needed to progress towards Net Zero.

A key barrier to Net Zero progress for many organisations continues to be cost. At a time when every penny matters, especially for SMEs, it’s essential that intermediaries offer real value. By regulating the TPI market, the government can help reduce unnecessary and unfair broker fees, freeing up much-needed funds that organisations can instead channel into energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and building long-term resilience.

We look forward to supporting the development of a regulatory framework that raises standards, levels the playing field, and empowers customers to make better-informed decisions in their energy journey.

You can read the full Government consultation update here.

Ryan O’Neill, Chief Strategy Officer, Equity Energies