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Written question asked by Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 28 September 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 October 2020 (named day). It was answered by Kwasi Kwarteng (Conservative) on Thursday, 1 October 2020 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Energy: Prices

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions his Department has had with Ofgem on their progress in implementing the Consumer Vulnerability Strategy 2025.

Answer

BEIS regularly engage with Ofgem to discuss their progress in implementing the Consumer Vulnerability Strategy 2025. Since this was published, in October 2019, Ofgem has made progress on their first-year priorities, including:

  • Creating an analytical framework to consistently assess the impact of regulatory policies on groups of consumers in vulnerable situations, published in May 2020;
  • Strengthening protections for consumers who self-disconnect from prepayment meters or self-ration, and protections for consumers who struggle to pay their bills. Ofgem consulted on proposals in June 2020 and intend for protections to be in place by the end of 2020, and;
  • Proposing a requirement on gas network companies to adhere to a vulnerability principle, making network companies more accountable for the service they provide consumers in vulnerable situations, through a licence obligation. Ofgem is planning to issue the statutory consultation in December and for the condition to come into effect on 1 April 2021.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
96103
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Energy Ofgem Prices
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk