Energy Suppliers News: page 9
- October 2023
Scottish Power granted 124 forced entry warrants by Berkshire Magistrates Court
Scottish Power obtained 124 forced entry warrants from Berkshire Magistrates Court to install prepayment meters, with campaigners saying only 20 were examined in detail and asking a Commons committee to take urgent evidence.
Voluntary code of conduct on forced PPM installations due to come into force
A voluntary code of conduct governing the forced installation of prepayment meters is due to come into force on 1 October 2023, with campaigners saying it does not go far enough.
- September 2023
British Gas reopens Energy Support Fund for new applications
British Gas has reopened its Energy Support Fund for new applications from 2 October 2023, offering grants of up to £1,500 within a £100 million support package.
Fuel Bank Foundation publishes advice on avoiding and reporting energy scams
The Fuel Bank Foundation has published guidance on spotting, avoiding and reporting energy scams, saying energy-related fraud rose sharply over the previous 12 months as criminals exploited the cost-of-living crisis.
Ofgem gains power to direct suppliers to ringfence customer credit balances
Ofgem has confirmed that since 20 September 2023 it can direct an energy supplier holding too little cash against customer credit balances to ringfence funds, and has begun publishing quarterly data on those balances.
Ofgem publishes decision on Involuntary PPM rules
Ofgem has confirmed new licence rules on involuntary prepayment meters, widening the group that must never be given one to households with children under two and those occupied only by adults over 75.
Which? and Octopus Energy launch solar panel and heat pump discount offer
Which? members can claim a 5% discount on solar panel or air-source heat pump installations booked through Octopus Energy, under an offer running until 15 December 2023.
CES and CESS amend bill formats
Ofgem has closed its investigation into Community Energy Scheme UK and Community Energy Scheme Stoke after the firms completed agreed changes to bills, contracts and exit rights.
Octopus Energy launched its Energy Helpers programme
Energy UK's 2023 Vulnerability Commitment report records that Octopus Energy's Energy Helpers programme completed 218,000 home visits, as the voluntary scheme grew to 13 signatories covering over 90% of the domestic market.
- August 2023
Citizens Advice publishes Winter Warning report calling for targeted energy bill support
Citizens Advice has published a Winter Warning report arguing that millions of households face a winter as bad as or worse than last year and calling for targeted energy bill support.
Citizens Advice warns of record energy debt help requests before winter
Citizens Advice reports record demand for energy debt help before winter, with 7.8 million people borrowing to pay energy bills in the first half of 2023 and a forecast 26% rise in debt cases by year end.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it supports putting the involuntary prepayment meter code into supply licences and keeping over 85s in the do not install category, but wants under 5s moved there too.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem statutory consultation on consumer standards
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it broadly backs the regulator's proposed consumer standards for energy suppliers, while calling for outcomes-based compliance, minimum standards for agency lines and recognised customer service accreditation.
Emergency credit increased from £1 to £3
Power NI raised the emergency credit available on its Keypad prepayment meters in Northern Ireland from £1 to £3 on 1 August 2023, giving households a larger buffer before supply is cut off.
Inaugural Tariff Watch report published
The Warm This Winter coalition has published the first Tariff Watch report, estimating that household energy suppliers could make £1.74bn in profits over the next 12 months from customers' bills.
- July 2023
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters and asked the regulator to widen the Do Not Install category to cover under-fives and some serious health conditions.
Citizens Advice published its response to Ofgem's statutory consultation on the supplier profit margin allowance
Citizens Advice has opposed Ofgem's plan to raise the profit margin allowance inside the retail price cap, saying the proposal is not justified by evidence and would not serve consumers.
Which? responds to Ofgem's expectations for energy suppliers on financial resilience and consumer support
Which? has welcomed Ofgem's new expectations for energy suppliers on financial resilience and customer support, while warning that bills remain almost double pre-crisis levels.
Centrica trading division reported £1.4 billion profit
Centrica's energy marketing and trading division made £1.4 billion in profit during the year, it was reported in July 2023, as the company's wider role in UK gas supply drew scrutiny.
Government reduces Energy Price Guarantee extra support to zero
The government cut the extra support paid through the Energy Price Guarantee to zero on 1 July 2023, ending a 3.77p per unit discount for Power NI customers and adding an estimated 14p a day to bills.
Ofgem opens workstream to review suppliers' wholesale costs for default tariff customers
Ofgem has opened a workstream to review whether suppliers' wholesale costs for default tariff customers between October 2022 and September 2023 differed from the allowances built into the price cap.
- June 2023
Ofgem launches statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Ofgem has opened a statutory consultation to make prepayment meter protections mandatory in suppliers' licence conditions, and has proposed a £13 allowance in the prepayment price cap for bad debt recovery.
Statutory consultation on Involuntary PPM opens
Ofgem opened a statutory consultation on 28 June 2023 on plans to write its Involuntary Prepayment Meter Code of Practice into supply licence conditions and guidance.
Directions No. 2 issued for domestic gas and electricity suppliers
The Secretary of State has issued Directions No. 2 for domestic gas and electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland, revoking the December directions that restricted when tariff changes could be made.
Citizens Advice publishes research on benefits of retrofitting 13 million inefficient homes
Citizens Advice has published research estimating almost £40 billion in cumulative benefits from upgrading 13 million inefficient homes in Great Britain to EPC C by 2030.
MCS launches Scheme Redevelopment Consultation
MCS has welcomed Simply Certification as its newest contractor certification body and confirmed it is consulting on proposals to transform how the scheme operates.
Citizens Advice published a discussion paper on locational pricing
Citizens Advice has published a discussion paper on locational pricing, weighing whether varying wholesale electricity prices by location could benefit consumers or expose households to new risks.
Fuse Energy launches as first new supplier after the energy crisis
Fuse Energy launched in 2023 as the first new supplier to enter the UK market after the energy crisis, founded by former Revolut executives and now rated in Which? rankings for the first time.
Octopus completes acquisition of Bulb
Octopus Energy completed its acquisition of Bulb in June 2023, following the supplier's 2021 insolvency and a period in special administration, according to Ofgem's Smart Export Guarantee annual report.
Ofgem consults on Code to prevent involuntary PPM installations for vulnerable consumers
Ofgem has opened a statutory consultation on making its Involuntary Prepayment Meter Code of Practice binding licence conditions, with the aim of having the protections in place for winter 2023/24.