To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what payments Ofgem has made to the members of its (a) Consumer Challenge Panel and (b) Consumer First Panel in the last 12 months. (283258)

In the last 12 months, Ofgem has made payments totalling £29,384.80 (exclusive of VAT) to members of its Consumer Challenge Panel.

Members of the Consumer First Panel are entitled to a payment of £50 per meeting attended. Payments are made by Opinion Leader Research as part of its contract with Ofgem. During the last 12 months, there have been three panel meetings held. The attendance at those meetings was 99, 90 and 83 respectively.