SSE and Npower deal to be probed

A MERGER between SSE and Npower should be investigated over fears it could drive up bills, MPs have urged.

Labour MP Rachel Reeves, chairman of the Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said the tie-up was worrying at a time when the Government is trying to clamp down on rip-off bills with a price cap.

Miss Reeves has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), asking it to ‘look in detail at the potential impacts that this merger could have’.

She added that the watchdog should ‘undertake a full investigation’ if competition in the sector was threatened.

SSE and Npower’s German parent, Innogy, announced plans last month to merge their household energy supply and services arms in Britain. An Innogy spokesman said Npower and SSE were talking to the CMA about the transaction. No investigation has been announced.