FSB criticises energywatch loss

The Federation of Small Businesses has criticised the government's decision to close the energy regulator energywatch despite widespread opposition.

The body will now be merged into the more general organisation Consumer Watch, which offers only a limited service to small companies.

There will also be an energy ombudsman to handle complaints from small firms but it is as yet unclear as to how this will work in practice.

"Small businesses are already under particular strain in a volatile energy market and this is coupled with unclear pricing policies and poor standards of service from some gas and electricity suppliers," said John Holbrow, FSB environment and energy policy unit chairman.