Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
First Report - Preparing for the winter
Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
HC 1720
Published 23 September 2023
Government response
First Special Report - Preparing for the winter: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2022–23 · published 15 Dec 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
7
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 34
Mandate energy suppliers provide enhanced support, time, and attention to all customers, especially vulnerable groups.
Recommendation
We recommend that Ofgem consider how it should mandate that all customers, and particularly vulnerable groups, get more time, better attention and continuity of support from their energy supplier.
Government Response Summary
The government provided no specific response to this recommendation, addressing it as part of a grouped response with subsequent recommendations.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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8
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 36
Require energy companies to provide priority phonelines for intermediaries supporting vulnerable clients.
Recommendation
We recommend that energy companies be required to provide, on request, a priority phoneline for trusted intermediaries, charities and consumer organisations to access support for their clients over the winter months. This should be implemented ahead of this winter.
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Government Response Summary
The government provided no specific response to this recommendation, addressing it as part of a grouped response with subsequent recommendations.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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12
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 46
Require Government to revise unfair standing charge structure with a consumption-based tariff model.
Recommendation
The current standing charge structure is unfair and regressive and penalises those on lower incomes or who are actively reducing their energy usage. The Government should engage with Ofgem to: • revise the standing charge model and replace it with …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated it had already acted to level prepayment and direct debit standing charges until March 2024, and welcomed Ofgem's commitment to find a permanent solution. It largely deflected the core recommendations on revising the standing charge structure to Ofgem, noting Ofgem's ongoing call for input and highlighting potential distributional impacts of removing standing charges.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
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