British Energy is the UK's largest electricity generating company, with an annual turnover of GBP 2.6 billion in 2005-06. This report finds that, as a result of the its restructuring, the taxpayer has been left to underwrite a large and uncertain liability, valued at GBP 5.3 billion, a figure that may well rise further.

The Department spent GBP 29 million on advisers during the restructuring, but of the four main firms it employed only one was appointed by competition.