vulnerable

As part of Ofgem’s fourth “deep dive” into energy supplier standards, the energy regulator found all 17 of the UK’s largest energy suppliers to have weaknesses in consumer practices.

​At the start of the week, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) “named and shamed” a number of energy companies that had the lowest voucher redemption rates for the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS).

Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has called on energy suppliers to stop force fitting prepayment meters with many doing “nowhere near enough” to support vulnerable customers.

Delivering net zero is to be placed as a key priority for the Scottish government as part of the Scottish Budget for 2023 to 2024.

Both the National Energy Action (NEA) and the Social Market Foundation (SMF) have said that over seven million households face the risk of fuel poverty come April 2024 prompting calls for politicians to provide “workable long-duration policies”.

Energy UK has partnered with PayPoint, Post Office and Citizens Advice to support households in claiming additional support amid the energy crisis.

Ofgem has moved to protect consumers from the cost of supplier failures, with the potential introduction of capital adequacy requirements and renewable obligation (RO) receipts.

11 retail energy suppliers have signed up to Energy UK’s Vulnerability Commitment aiming to drive continuous improvement in support for customers in vulnerable circumstances.

Ofgem has issued Provisional Orders to Utilita and Scottish Power for failing to support vulnerable customers.

SP Energy Networks will provide £5 million in funding to support vulnerable communities currently facing barriers in transitioning to net zero emissions.