Suppliers must wait for energy watchdog's competition report

The CMA was due to announce the results of its investigation into competition failings among gas and electricity suppliers towards the end of December

The energy industry will be forced to sweat for another six months before finding out what action, if any, will be taken against it by the Competition and Markets Authority.

The CMA was due to announce the results of its investigation into competition failings among gas and electricity suppliers towards the end of December, with the expectation that it would force suppliers to make bills clearer and tariffs easier to compare.

But it has now extended the deadline by up to six months because of the high number of responses it received after publishing its provisional findings in July. Its provisional decisions and remedies are now set to be published in January 2016, with its final decision revealed in April.

Roger Witcomb, the chairman of the energy market investigation, said: “This investigation – and the measures that could result from it – will have long-standing consequences for millions of customers in an industry of vital importance to the whole country.”

He pointed out that it was the most comprehensive investigation into the energy market since privatisation, adding: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of this market for the better.”

Richard Lloyd of Which? said it was sensible to delay the report, as “there needs to be time to test reforms properly”.

But Ann Robinson of uSwitch said the delay would be a disappointment for customers, “many of whom are already dreading sky-high bills this winter”.