Recommendation 5

It is unacceptable that many vulnerable customers, on top of having to pay higher energy prices, face extra challenges working with energy suppliers and accessing benefits designed to help people with their energy bills. Vulnerable customers are most exposed to the rise in energy prices and some also face additional costs. Many vulnerable customers rely on prepayment meters, whose tariffs are typically more expensive than those paid by direct debit because the systems used to run them cost more which Ofgem reflects in the cost of energy. In addition, some vulnerable customers are not covered by the price protection available to other customers, or able to easily access the benefits available. For example, those who use district heating Regulation of energy suppliers 7 systems are not covered by the price cap. The Department is unable to explain how it will ensure that all customers who use prepayment meters or do not pay their bill directly, such as residents of park homes, will receive their £400 of energy support. Recommendation: The Department and Ofgem should urgently review the support that government has committed to providing to vulnerable households in relation to energy supplies and assess where administrative issues might prevent support being provided in a timely manner. It should, as part of the Treasury Minute response, update the Committee on their findings and how they are addressing them.