Customers

Weekend press round-up: Energy groups told to submit support plans for PPM victims

Our latest review of sector coverage in national media includes further fallout from the scandal over forced prepayment meter installations by contractors employed by British Gas. Meanwhile, there is speculation about the next steps for energy bills support and potential bidders in the upcoming Capacity Market auction.

Ofgem direct debit clampdown finds 99.6% set correctly

Bristol merger with South West completes

A dark day for energy

The explosive accusations about the behaviour of British Gas contractors and Ofgem’s damning review of customer service standards across the retail sector, contrasted with Shell’s admission of eye-watering profits, made for a dismal day for energy. Utility Week editor James Wallin discusses what this means for the industry’s long-term reputation, the debate over prepayment (PPM) meter customers and the role of regulation.

Bevan: Budget cuts limit enforcement

Suppliers pause forced PPM installs following British Gas scandal

Eon warned over ‘severe deterioration’ in call wait times

O’Shea expresses ‘horror’ at PPM revelations

Ofgem caution over extending business customers remit

Water bills rise below inflation

Water bills are set to rise in April by the single biggest jump since 2005 but companies have kept the increases below inflation. Ofwat has praised the support extended to struggling householders but urged the sector to "double down" on efforts to help more billpayers facing hardship.

Octopus chief: ‘We could have made a profit’

Shell offers prizes to tempt customers to reduce demand

Brearley rejects industry bid to shift blame over PPMs

Commercial model for rapid EV chargers is ‘struggling’

Retailers frustrated with Shapps’ failure to engage

Coffey has dealt ‘body blow to social tariffs’

Utilities sectors leading the way in supporting vulnerable customers

Smart PPM disconnections up one third following price cap hike

The number of smart pre-payment meter automatically disconnected by their supplier shot up by a nearly a third between the first and third quarters of last year, the energy minister has admitted.

Has energy retail become uninvestible?

Task force needed to accelerate social tariff design