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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 … Show more

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Reports

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

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 item
5 Recommendation First Report - Preparing for the winter Rejected

Revise Cold Weather Payment for daily rates, minimum temperature, and advance payments.

In its current form, the Cold Weather Payment is an outdated, old-fashioned scheme. The Government should revise the Cold Weather Payment as follows: to be applicable on a daily rate after a one- or three-day cold-wave below freezing; to be based on the daily minimum temperature and not on an … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government defended the current design of the Cold Weather Payment scheme, stating the existing £25 payment for every seven days of severe cold weather is a clear and reasonable measure, and that payments are triggered by forecasts without awaiting actual recorded temperatures.
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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 ↗

Who gave evidence

15 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Adam Scorer · Chief Executive National Energy Action 1
Cathryn Scott · Director of Enforcement and Emerging issues Ofgem 1
Chris Norbury · Chief Executive Officer E.ON UK 1
Chris O'Shea · Chief Executive Centrica (British Gas) 1
Gillian Cooper · Head of Energy Policy Citizens Advice 1
Jonathan Brearley · Chief Executive Ofgem 1
Jonathan Brearley · Permanent Secretary Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 1
Matthew Cole · Head Fuel Bank Foundation 1
Mr Simon Oscroft · Co-founder So Energy 1
Neil Kenward · Director for Strategy and Interim Director for Ma… Ofgem 1
Philippe Commaret · Managing Director, Customers EDF 1
Rachel Fletcher · Director of Regulation and Economics Octopus Energy 1
Rohan Churm · Interim Director of Financial Resilience and Cont… Ofgem 1
Roni Marsh · Money and Cost of Living Team Manager South West London Law Centres (Member of End Fuel Poverty Coalition) 1
Simon Francis · Co-ordinator End Fuel Poverty Coalition 1