Britain's energy market regulator Ofgem is consulting on plans to strengthen support measures being offered during the coronavirus pandemic to customers struggling to pay their energy bills, it said on Monday.
FILE PHOTO: Electricity pylons carrying the Beauly-Denny powerline are seen close to the A9 road, Scotland, Britain January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
In March, energy suppliers agreed emergency measures to support vulnerable customers through COVID-19, including those on prepayment meters facing difficulties topping up their meters while self-isolating or in financial distress. Under these proposals, suppliers would have to offer emergency and credit, for example when top-up points are closed, to all prepayment customers, and offer additional credit for consumers in vulnerable circumstances while they are working out alternative arrangements to pay.
“These permanent protections will reduce the number of prepayment customers temporarily going without energy because they cannot afford to top up,” said Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem.
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