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Examining how utilities are tackling the key issues of vulnerability and affordability

Latest in Customers

Utilita sees 800% jump in support credit payments
Prepayment meter (PPM) specialist energy supplier Utilita has told Utility Week that it has seen an almost 800% increase in the amount of additional support credit (ASC) it provides to customers over the past three years. Commenting on the stats Utilita’s non-executive chair Derek Lickorish said the data highlights that "households are running on empty, their financial resilience destroyed".
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Ofgem to probe supplier treatment of microbusinesses
Ofgem has launched an investigation into Maxen Power Supply, focussing on the fair treatment of businesses and the rates they are charged. The regulator said it will consider the “supplier’s compliance with rules around treating microbusinesses fairly, organisational capability, whether deemed rates are unduly onerous and customer transfer blocking”.
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Ministers have ‘broken promise’ over social tariff
The government has been accused of “breaking promises to the most vulnerable in society” after not delivering proposals for an energy social tariff first outlined a year ago. Jeremy Hunt first acknowledged the need to examine targeted bill support in last year’s autumn statement with a consultation planned for this summer. But both Conservative and opposition MPs have now lamented the lack of action.
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Ofgem confirms January price cap increase
Rising wholesale energy costs will lead to a 5% price cap increase for consumers in January, Ofgem has confirmed. In its latest quarterly cap update the energy regulator has also unveiled plans to level standing charges for prepayment meter (PPM) customers to end the so-called PPM premium.
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Government calls for shared multi-sector PSR
The government has announced it is exploring options to introduce a single, multi-sector Priority Service Register (PSR) to help vulnerable utility consumers. Under plans announced as part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on Wednesday (22 November) energy, water and telecoms companies would share data so those most in need only need to disclose information about their vulnerability once, regardless of where they live.  
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October best month for smart installations in 2023
New data has revealed that more smart meters were installed in October than during any other month so far in 2023. October’s figures are 14% higher than September and just under 5% higher than October last year.
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Smart meter deadline in 2025 is ‘not helpful’
The deadline for energy suppliers to complete the smart meter rollout by the end of 2025 has been described as “not helpful” by a deputy director of the industry’s trade body. Energy UK’s deputy director of retail policy, Daniel Portis, was speaking to Utility Week following the news that six retailers have agreed to pay out almost £11 million after failing to hit their installation targets last year.
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Utility Warehouse co-CEO steps down
Stuart Burnett will become Utility Warehouse’s sole chief executive next summer, with co-chief Andrew Lindsay intending to step down from his role after 16 years with the company. Utility Week spoke to Burnett about the change at the top, after the multi-utility provider announced strong half year results which show an adjusted pre-tax profit increase of more than 35%.
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Energy minister resisted PPM ban days before practice paused
A government minister and energy retailers pushed back against calls to introduce a mandatory ban on the forced installation of prepayment meters (PPM) just days before revelations at British Gas came to light, Utility Week can reveal. Meeting minutes obtained via a Freedom of Information request show that energy minister Graham Stuart was particularly concerned that introducing a mandatory moratorium on forced PPM installations would result in an increase in customers refusing to pay their bills.
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The nightmare before winter: Under the micro-scope
With many microbusiness energy customers feeling “overlooked, and misunderstood” when it comes to financial support from government, Valda Energy boss Steve James writes for Utility Week about the impact the cost of living crisis is having on these consumers.
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