One thing the energy industry agrees on in theory - if not, it turns out, in practice - is that forcing prepayment meters on vulnerable customers is unacceptable.Less clear-cut is what to do about the underlying cause.
In 2009 it asked suppliers not to disconnect pensioners or any home with under-18s in the coldest months between October and March, and to reconnect anyone inadvertently cut off within 24 hours. Underlying that is the reasonable assumption that suppliers should get paid, and that they have a responsibility to ensure customers do not run up unsustainable debts.Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video playerThe energy industry and charities estimate up to 40% of households are spending more than 10% of their income on energy.
Industry sources say the collective debt book is thought to run to around £2.5bn - around £2bn of which is considered bad debt.is a tough one in which to plead poverty, but the retail industry is separate from energy production, with regulated prices that have seen almost 30 companies forced out of business in the last 18 months.
pkelso Do 'vulnerable' customers expect to get free gas and electric? Just asking.
pkelso Been watching Nigel_Farage on GBNEWS have we sly ? This story covered for weeks