Price cap

More cross-industry collaboration needed to help people through the cost of living crisis

Utilita’s chief marketing officer Jem Maidment reflects on the challenges behind the energy retailers recent partnership with Iceland, and explores the role of cross-industry collaboration in helping consumers weather the cost of living crisis.

15/09/2022

Interviews

Innovating to support ‘digitally vulnerable’ customers during the cost of living crisis

Experts explore the importance of data in both identifying and supporting vulnerable customers during the ongoing cost of living crisis as well as the prevalence of ‘digital vulnerability’.

15/06/2022

News

Customer vulnerability ‘not a fixed state’: five AI, data and digital innovations driven by the cost of living crisis

Utility Week Innovate explores some of the digital projects helping utility firms respond to the ‘dynamic’ nature of customer vulnerability.

06/05/2022

Analysis

Ofwat confirms 0.49% retail price cap uplift

The price cap for water retailers will rise by 0.49% for two years from April to cover bad debt costs incurred in the non-household market as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and national lockdowns. Ofwat has raised the uplift from the 0.31% increase proposed in December.

28/02/2022

News

Temporary water retail price cap rise proposed

Ofwat has proposed a small, temporary uplift to the price cap for water retail non-household customers of 0.31% after agreeing to a rise in July to avoid systematic retailer failure linked to covid-19. Following a consultation, the adjustment will come into effect from April 2022.

07/12/2021

News

Breaking bad news early: Setting the narrative

Following Ofgem's announcement it was to raise the price cap to its highest level yet, Utility Week looks into how the regulator went about trying to control the narrative. Such a significant increase heading into winter, especially considering the impact of the pandemic, was always bound to lead to heavy criticism. Yet a lengthy blog penned by the regulator's chief executive in the week leading up to the announcement may well have softened the blow.

10/08/2021

Opinion

Ofwat proposes raising price cap

With the level of bad debt anticipated to exceed 2 per cent for the water retail sector, Ofwat has begun consulting on the most appropriate ways to share the costs. The regulator has proposed raising the price cap and sharing debt between customers from 2022

05/03/2021

News

Conflicting data on effects of the price cap

BEIS has claimed "new data", published in 2018, shows £1 billion has been saved in 2019 as a result of the price cap. Research from Comparethemarket.com however found the price cap to be more of a "hindrance" rather than a help.

03/01/2020

News

Survey finds falling awareness of price cap

Ofgem has published the results of its consumer perception of the energy market survey. The results also revealed the subjects of most complaints about energy retailers.

04/12/2019

News

UW Manifesto: Reviewing the energy price cap

Utility Week's Election 2019 Manifesto urges the next government to properly address the future of the default energy price cap. Specifically, a rigorous review which is independent of government and Ofgem should take place.

03/12/2019

News

Centrica wins high court challenge against price cap

Ofgem will be expected to adjust its calculations for the first three months of the price cap after a high court judge ruled in favour of Centrica's appeal. The British Gas owner disputed the methodology the regulator used to calculate wholesale costs.

13/11/2019

News

We should be intensely relaxed about a permanent energy price cap

In response to a Utility Week piece regarding the future of the energy price cap Greg Jackson, chief executive of Octopus Energy, makes the case for a permanent price cap. He cites the comparison with the minimum wage and its effect on employment.

15/10/2019

Opinion

Load More