Contents of government utilities Bill aired in Brighton

NEWS Representatives of water, power and telecoms companies were told today what they can expect from the government's upcoming utilities Bill. Jonathon Green, head of the energy utilities directorate at the DTI told delegates at the Utilities congress in Brighton, that the Bill will make the protection of customer interests the primary duty of regulators. Green said that the Bill will also call for the creation of independent consumer bodies for each utility. He noted that both energy and water sectors still have much further to go in offering customers the kinds of choices that telcos offer now. The Bill is expected to be announced in the Queen's speech in a few weeks time.