Ofgem has announced a review of the tone and transparency used by energy suppliers when corresponding with consumers in debt. Commenting on the review, Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at Uswitch.com, says: “We support fully the strengthening of rules in this area by Ofgem. It’s unacceptable that energy companies would ever be allowed to mislead consumers by sending letters which appear to be from debt collectors. Hard-pressed customers in debt need help to manage their finances, not intimidation.
“Sky-high energy prices have understandably left many consumers struggling to afford bills – our research shows that, worryingly, more than 1 in 10 homes are currently in debt to their energy supplier and a third of these owe more now than they did a year ago.”
Jason Wakeford
Phone: 0203 872 5612
Email: jason.wakeford@uswitch.com
Twitter: @UswitchPR
1. Research referred to above was conducted online by YouGov Plc on behalf of Uswitch.com. Fieldwork took place 3rd to 6th February 2014, amongst 2,138 adults with decision making involvement with energy suppliers. Data is weighted to be representative of GB adults. When asked: ‘Thinking about your most recent energy bill from your supplier, which of the following best applies to you?’ 14% of respondents answered that they were in debt
2. When asked ‘Thinking about the amount you are in debt/arrears with your energy supplier, how does this compare with a year ago?’, 33% of respondents answered ‘My debt/arrears is higher’ and 9% responded ‘my debt/arrears is lower’
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