Citizens Advice has reiterated its calls for more robust protections for customers of failing suppliers and for the regulation of heat networks.
In its 2019 ‘election manifesto’, the consumer charity said it wanted to see the introduction of a centralised system for heating homes and buildings and to ensure the Treasury’s net zero review ensures the costs of decarbonising the energy sector does not unfairly impact those who can least afford it.
The charity has previously suggested the introduction of an independent consumer advocate for heat networks, which are not currently regulated.
Its manifesto also called on the parties to commit to taking action to tackle “price walking” – the practice of loyal consumers seeing their bills increase regardless of their commitment to a particular supplier.
It also wants to give regulators the power to introduce more financial support and protections for the most vulnerable customers.
As well as calling for better support for customers of failed suppliers, Citizens Advice stressed that the next government must make sure consumers are protected in the future “regardless of how they buy or sell their energy”.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “The transition to a low-carbon economy will see major changes, including the emergence of new technology and new markets. It’s critical that consumers are at the heart of this transition and that consumer protections are built in from the start.
“As we begin the process of decarbonising our economy the fundamental questions of who pays, how do they pay and how do we make sure the costs are fair have yet to be answered. It’s essential that the costs of decarbonisation do not hardest hit those who can least afford it.”
Yesterday (6 November) Eon Energy chief executive Michael Lewis welcomed the elevation of energy efficiency and climate change to the forefront of politics.
Lewis told Utility Week that he was “deliberately not being party-political” when asked which parties had caught his eye.
“I want to be clear that we’ll work with whichever organisation gets into government with a mandate to transform our energy system for the future”, he added.