Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has welcomend news that regulator Ofgem will investigate whether the "big six" UK energy suppliers prevent effective competition in the UK energy market.

Mr Ewing said:

“I welcome this planned investigation into the ‘big six’ UK energy suppliers. This is the first coherent plan that has been put forward to challenge the issue of rising energy bills.

“However any investigation must look at the implication of the plans for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point for energy bills. 

"I note that the planned nuclear subsidy is double the wholesale price and as SSE rightly said yesterday this will impact on energy bills for consumers over the next 35 years.”