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Select Committee · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Preparing for the winter

Status: Closed Opened: 7 Jul 2023 Closed: 5 Mar 2024 9 recommendations 3 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry will seek to get a quick update on the lessons learned by the Ofgem, the Government and energy companies last winter on how to support people through the coldest part of the year. It will also examine the crucial element of customer service by energy companies in helping customers in need to navigate …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Preparing for the winter HC 1720 23 Sep 2023 12 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
4 Recommendation First Report - Preparing for the winter Acknowledged

Implement a social tariff and efficiency measures for vulnerable households, streamlining existing schemes.

We urge the Government and energy suppliers to consider implementing a form of social tariff and other measures to protect vulnerable households from being cut off from their energy supplies. We note the challenges vulnerable households can face in benefiting from the energy savings that more energy efficient homes and …

Government response. The government stated it is exploring options for consumer protection and that there is no consensus on what a social tariff entails. It highlighted existing cost-of-living payments and energy efficiency schemes, and committed to a consultation on the Fuel Poverty …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
10 Conclusion First Report - Preparing for the winter Acknowledged

Ofgem and energy companies failed to proactively improve consumer standards for winter.

While we welcome the forthcoming set of consumer standards, we are disappointed that Ofgem did not anticipate the need for significant improvements ahead of this winter. Introducing them from December 2023 will likely be too late to see significant 12 Preparing for the winter differences made this winter. We also …

Government response. The government acknowledges its focus on improving consumer standards and states that Ministers have engaged with energy suppliers and Ofgem to foster a proactive culture, while highlighting Ofgem's past Market Compliance Reviews which led to improvement plans and fines for …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
11 Recommendation First Report - Preparing for the winter Acknowledged

Mandate Ofgem and energy companies to adopt a proactive culture improving consumer standards.

Ofgem and energy companies need to adopt a more proactive culture in improving industry consumer standards. Energy companies should not wait to be enforced to certain standards by Ofgem but should be innovating to improve customer satisfaction and attract more customers. We expect Ofgem to be quicker in challenging energy …

Government response. The government acknowledges its focus on improving consumer standards and states that Ministers have engaged with energy suppliers and Ofgem to foster a proactive culture, while highlighting Ofgem's past Market Compliance Reviews which led to improvement plans and fines for …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
13 Sep 2023 Cathryn Scott · Ofgem, Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem, Jonathan Brearley · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Neil Kenward · Ofgem, Rohan Churm · Ofgem View ↗
6 Sep 2023 Adam Scorer · National Energy Action, Chris Norbury · E.ON UK, Chris O'Shea · Centrica (British Gas), Gillian Cooper · Citizens Advice, Matthew Cole · Fuel Bank Foundation, Mr Simon Oscroft · So Energy, Philippe Commaret · EDF, Rachel Fletcher · Octopus Energy, Roni Marsh · South West London Law Centres (Member of End Fuel Poverty Coalition), Simon Francis · End Fuel Poverty Coalition View ↗