16/08/2019
Citizens Advice - Ofgem must set “ambitious vision” for vulnerable energy customers
Citizens Advice is calling on Ofgem to use its forthcoming vulnerability strategy to set out how it will better support vulnerable energy customers who fall behind on their bills.
The call comes in a new report - Supply and Final Demand - from the charity detailing the experiences of people in vulnerable circumstances - for example a disability or long-term health condition - who have been behind on their energy bills for over a month.
In 2018 Citizens Advice helped 43,232 people with energy debt problems through its local network. This was a 12% increase compared with 2017. Nearly half (48%) of these people had long-term health conditions or disabilities.
Since 2014, it has been more common for people to seek help from Citizens Advice about problems with essential bills, such as energy or council tax, than consumer credit e.g. credit cards.
The report revealed a number of common problems experienced by people in vulnerable circumstances once they get behind on their bills:
https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/Citizens+Advice+Ofgem+must+set+ambitious+vision+for+vulnerable+energy+customers+21052019104000?open
Citizens Advice is calling on Ofgem to use its forthcoming vulnerability strategy to set out how it will better support vulnerable energy customers who fall behind on their bills.