Preparing for the winter

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 7 Jul 2023 Closed: 5 Mar 2024 Parliament page
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 … Read more
9 Recommendations
3 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
2 Events
Activity timeline 6 events
15 Dec
2023
Report published
23 Sep
2023
Report published
13 Sep
2023
Oral evidence
13 Sep
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
6 Sep
2023
Oral evidence
6 Sep
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
13 Sep 2023
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
Cathryn Scott · Ofgem Jonathan Brearley · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem Neil Kenward · Ofgem Rohan Churm · Ofgem
6 Sep 2023
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
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
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Preparing for the winter HC 1720 23 Sep 2023 12 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
7 Recommendation Deferred
First Report - Preparing for the w…
Mandate energy suppliers provide enhanced support, time, and attention to all customers, especially vulnerable groups.
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
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
First Report - Preparing for the w…
Require energy companies to provide priority phonelines for intermediaries supporting vulnerable clients.
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. Read more
Government Response
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
First Report - Preparing for the w…
Require Government to revise unfair standing charge structure with a consumption-based tariff model.
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 … Read more
Government Response
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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Government Response AI assessment · 12 of 9 classified
Accepted 5
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 3
Rejected 1
Total 9 recs + 3 conclusions