Justina Miltienyte, head of policy at Uswitch.com, said: “This winter is set to be extremely difficult for vulnerable households, and it’s never been more important that energy suppliers meet their obligations to customers in payment difficulties.
“It is deeply concerning that some suppliers are still not adequately prepared to serve customers who struggle to pay their bills. Not having a policy for dealing with customers in payment difficulties, among other things, is unacceptable, and must be urgently addressed.
“Even with the Government’s help, people still face high energy bills this winter that many will find difficult to pay. There is no excuse for suppliers to not support their customers.
“Already, energy debt is at an all-time high with £1.3 billion owed to providers, nearly three times higher than it was in September last year[1].
“If you are behind on your bill payments, or your energy account is going into debt, speak to your provider as soon as possible.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including broadband, mobiles, SIM Only and insurance. We’ve saved consumers over £2.5 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
In 2022, Uswitch launched its free mobile app, Utrack, to help consumers manage their home energy costs. By connecting to their smart meter, users can track their energy usage hourly, get dynamic insights and calculate potential savings with handy tips.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a global group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.