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Written question asked by Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour) on Thursday, 4 July 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 July 2019. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 July 2019 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Energy: Disconnections

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 26 June (HL16573), why they do not hold data on the number of households who disconnect their energy supply due to the cost; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the lack of such data on their fuel poverty policy.

Answer

Government has given Ofgem, the independent GB energy regulator, a statutory duty to protect the interests of vulnerable consumers, with the regulator enforcing rules to protect consumers at risk of debt and disconnection.

Following a call for evidence, Ofgem is undertaking a review of households who disconnect their energy supplies due to cost and has requested that energy companies provide additional information and data to help their analysis. They will publish their response this summer. Government will consider the findings of this review and the potential impact more detailed information about self disconnection could have on how we target fuel poverty policies, such as the Warm Home Discount and ECO Local Authority Flexible Eligibility.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL16965
Session
2017-19
Related items
Energy: Disconnections
Wednesday, 26 June 2019
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Energy Fuel poverty Disconnections
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk