Brevia Consulting is providing a weekly round-up and analysis of the UK headlines. This week, read about the infringement procedures launched by the EU against the UK, the latest developments in the Conservative Party leadership contest, and the BEIS Committee report published this week on Energy Pricing and the Future of the Energy Market.
EU LAUNCHES NEW LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST UK
The European Commission has launched four new infringement procedures against the UK for not complying with parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.[1] The complaints are that the UK: 1) failed to comply with customs and supervision requirements; 2) failed to notify the transposition of EU legislation laying down EU rules on excise duties; 3) and excise duties on alcohol; and 4) failed to implement EU roles on VAT for e-commerce. The formal infringement process has started with the Commission writing to the UK demanding remedial action. The UK has two months to take action or the Commission could take the issues to the European Court of Justice, which could result in a fine. The Commission has also not ruled out imposing trade sanctions on the UK.
LEADERSHIP CONTEST HEATS UP IN SERIES OF DEBATES
On Monday, BBC One hosted the one-hour debate special ‘Our Next Prime Minister’, moderated by BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth, with analysis from BBC political editor Chris Mason and BBC economics editor Faisal Islam. The debate covered economic issues such as taxation, mortgage rates, and inflation. Later in the debate however, the price of Liz Truss’ earrings became a talking point, prompting a discussion around the tone of each candidate’s campaign.[2] The BBC plans to invite the final candidates to take part in one-on-one interviews with Nick Robinson in ‘Our Next Prime Minister: The Interviews’. On Tuesday, the leadership contenders met again to participate in a debate hosted by the Sun and TalkTV, moderated by journalist Kate McCann. The debate ended abruptly after Kate McCann fainted on air.
MPs CALL FOR URGENT UPDATE TO ENERGY SUPPORT PACAKAGE
Earlier this week, the BEIS Committee published its report on Energy Pricing and the Future of the Energy Market.[3] The report concluded that the Government urgently needs to update its energy support package ahead of the autumn price increase, stating that current support is outdated and sub-standard. The report also called for scrapping the energy price cap in favour of a heavily discounted social tariff for vulnerable households and a relative tariff for the rest of the market, noting that Ofgem’s design of the price cap had contributed to market instability. The report put forward a highly critical view of Ofgem’s role as the energy regulator, stating that it has been ‘incompetent’ and ‘negligent’ in its regulation of the sector. The report comes as analysts paint a bleak picture for the upcoming price cap increase in October, with some predictions placing bills at £3,420.[4]
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Notes
[1] European Commission, ‘Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: Commission launches four new infringement procedures against the UK’, 22 July 2022, Link
[2] The Guardian, ‘Truss and Sunak trade blows in acrimonious first TV debate’, 25 July 2022, Link
[3] Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, ‘Energy Pricing and the Future of the Energy Market’, 26 July 2022, Link
[4] The Times, ‘Gas shortages to send energy bills close to £4,000’, 28 July 2022, Link
