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<p>The Government wants all consumers to pay a fair price for their energy. In 2019
Ofgem launched a Strategic Review of the Microbusiness Retail Market to better understand
the customer journey for microbusinesses and consider what solutions may be necessary
to safeguard them as consumers. The regulator plans to publish a consultation this
spring setting out its detailed policy solutions in response to the Review’s findings.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>Microbusinesses display similar characteristics to domestic consumers
when buying energy. Therefore, where they have exhausted their energy company’s own
complaints procedure, businesses with up to 10 employees can make a complaint to the
Ombudsman Services: Energy.</p><p> </p><p>Larger businesses are more likely to be
able to effectively procure their energy supply, as they procure other commodities
for their businesses.</p><p><br> The Communications Act 2003 places a duty on Ofcom
to ensure that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures are available for domestic
and small business customers (defined as up to 10 employees). All communications providers
must be a member of an approved scheme, Ofcom currently approves two ADR Schemes:
Ombudsman Services: Communications (OS) and the Communications and Internet Services
Adjudication Scheme (CISAS).</p><p> </p><p>In 2019 Ofcom published an independent
review of the two approved ADR schemes. The review found that both schemes show a
high level of decision-making accuracy with regard to case acceptance or rejection,
and Ofcom is satisfied that both ADR Schemes are following the requirements set out
in the ADR regulations and the Communications Act.</p><p> </p><p>It is for Ofgem and
Ofcom to review the evidence and to work with Government to determine whether further
regulatory intervention, or other steps, are necessary to assist SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Though
there are currently no plans to offer joint guidance between Ofcom, Ofgem and the
FCA, they continue to cooperate on dealing with issues affecting SMEs in their respective
sectors.</p>
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