Energy companies are not helping people who fall into debt quickly enough, according to the industry watchdog.
Offgem rules mean suppliers have to provide assistance to customers who fall behind with their bills, including putting them on an affordable repayment plan. According to the regulator's annual report on vulnerable customers, last year saw the overall number of people in debt rise by 4.2 % to 1.31 million for electricity, and 4.8 % to 1.05 million for gas.
The number put on affordable repayment plans also rose, 1% for electricity and 0.4% for gas - but was far outweighed by the increase in the number of those who owed money but were not put on any plan. The figures suggested that suppliers were not moving quickly or efficiently enough to put customers who owed money on repayment plans, potentially pushing them further into debt or hardship, according to the report.However it said companies were getting better at helping vulnerable people manage their energy use day to day, with 850,000 electricity customers and 650,000 gas customers received free services through suppliers' priority service registers.
Because it's the utility company's responsibility? Now I get it!
As long as their board of directors can take their fat pay cheques.
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Source: TheSun - 🏆 64. / 61 Read more »