An "energy price freeze" does not control prices and what happens to workers wages?

Ed Miliband’s energy policy needs  to be understood – he proposes to govern by issuing edicts to companies, telling energy firms what they should charge their customers and threatening similar orders to those he regards as ‘predators’. He has a very advanced and detailed business strategy — but seems to lack the support of a single prominent business leader. More importantly his strategy would raise prices not lower them. And who will do the investing in new energy infrastructure?  

I asked this question of the shadow Energy secretary Caroline Flint, in the House of Commons, last week:

Guy Opperman (Hexham, Conservative)

"Does the right hon. Lady accept that an externally imposed price freeze does not control overseas supply or energy prices?"

Answer came there none.

I set out below the full debate: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2014-04-02b.892.1&s=speaker%3A24962#g893.2

Later another colleague asked her:

"What discussions has she had with trade unions and the energy industry about the possibility, should there be a price freeze, of a demand for a wages and salary freeze in the energy industry?"

I cannot overstate the problems that would occur if government fixes prices - investment will be stymied, wages will reduce and all of us, the customer, will suffer in the long term.