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Written question asked by Jayne Kirkham (Labour) on Monday, 3 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 (named day). It was answered by Martin McCluskey (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Energy: Prices

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with energy suppliers to help prevent large increases in energy bill direct debits.

Answer

Ofgem is the energy regulator for Great Britain and works to protect energy consumers and ensure they are treated fairly.

Under the terms of Ofgem’s Standard Licence Conditions, customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier and ask the supplier to justify how they calculated the new amount. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings used. If a customer is not happy with the supplier’s calculation, they can ask the supplier to lower the monthly payments to reflect the energy use more accurately.

If a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and bring down energy bills, and therefore direct debits, permanently.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
87568
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Energy Prices Direct debits
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk