The Strategic Panel has published its response to Ofwat’s Business retail market consultation.
The consultation followed the publication of the Business Retail Market Update 2024-25 and Business Customers Insight Survey 2025.
In its response, the Panel notes that its views on the Retail Exit Code (REC) price and non-price protections for business customers remain unchanged from its September response to the 2025–26 REC consultation. It also reiterates the importance of having a more dynamic, agile REC that responds to emerging customer needs and a rapidly evolving market.
Overall, the Panel welcomes the findings, including evidence of stable customer engagement and activity, and year-on-year savings for customers who have switched or renegotiated under the REC.
While the Panel notes that many findings indicate an improving and increasingly competitive market, it is concerned about the headline statistic on customer satisfaction. The Panel sets out its intention to work closely with CCW and Ofwat to better understand the survey methodology and results.
The full response is available here.
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