Uswitch comments on Ofgem report on energy suppliers’ support to vulnerable customers
Today Ofgem published its annual report on energy suppliers’ social obligations and how they supported vulnerable customers and managed debt and disconnection in 2015. Commenting on the findings, Claire Osborne, Uswitch.com energy expert, says: “While it’s encouraging that fewer customers were in debt last year compared with 2014, it’s extremely worrying that the average owed has increased to £600 per household. This suggests that energy suppliers could be stepping in earlier to help prevent consumers racking up potentially crippling debts.
“It’s also disappointing that the proportion of customers on prepayment meters has not fallen in line with the reduction in the number of households in debt. Many of these consumers are fuel poor, yet pay more for their energy and have restricted access to the most competitive energy deals – simply because they are on a prepayment meter.
“It’s encouraging to see more vulnerable customers getting access to the free services available through the Priority Services Register. We continue to encourage suppliers to do all they can to promote this vital service to the customers that desperately need it.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Jason Wakeford
Phone: 0203 872 5612
Email: jason.wakeford@uswitch.com
Twitter: @UswitchPR
About us
It’s all about “U”!
Thank you for indulging us over the last 20 years by using a small ‘u’ and a big ‘S’ when writing about our brand in your articles.
We are delighted to let you know that you are now off the hook - it’s big U’s all the way (and small s’s) as we undertake our biggest ever rebrand - so let your autocorrect go wild!
About Uswitch
Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. Launched in September 2000, we help consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, TV, and financial services products and get more of what matters to them. Last year we saved consumers over £373 million on their energy bills alone.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a new business that also owns Money.co.uk and Bankrate.
If you would no longer like to receive our press releases please email prteam@uswitch.com with 'unsubscribe'.