Other Incidental Costs

Three members of the energy cartel have been fined the equivalent of a week's power lunches for failing to meet their obligations in cutting household bills. The fines, totalling £4.6 million across three companies, will be paid to various worthy causes which the Government cannot be bothered to fund directly. The regulator's senior enforcer said that the fines send "a clear message to the energy industry that late delivery of obligations is unacceptable"; in fact, they send a clear message that late delivery of obligations can be paid off by dropping a few crumbs to charity. It is as yet unclear whether the energy cartel will recoup its costs by slashing salaries or sacking staff; but the power lunches are undoubtedly safe.