Policy

Energy suppliers should absorb bad debt, consumers say

Britons “instinctively oppose” the force-fitting of prepayment meters (PPMs) as a debt recovery measure, Ofgem’s review into the practice concludes. Instead, British energy consumers believe that suppliers should absorb debt within their perceived profits. The consumer research was released alongside a new code of practice which tightens the rules on forced PPM installations.

Ovo to end using REGOs

Overhaul of CfD auctions tabled

Call for smart meter mandate to complete rollout

Microbusinesses left saddled with debt they do not owe

Record Cold Weather Payments 430 times more than forecast  

Octopus calls out hydrogen champion’s ‘misleading’ claims

A coalition of 20 organisations including Octopus Energy, E3G and the UK Green Building Council have called on the government to reject recommendations made by hydrogen champion Jane Toogood. The coalition has labelled Toogood’s report on hydrogen and heat electrification as “misleading” and warns that accepting her recommendations risks driving up consumer bills and could undermine the government’s targets on heat pumps.

Ofgem staff begin strike action

Installation scandal must not consign PPMs to history

The future of prepayment meters (PPMs) hangs in the balance following Ofgem’s call for evidence on their future use. Matthew Cole, head of the Fuel Bank Foundation, explains why recent scandals over forced installations must not spell the end of the prepayment tool.  

Wastewater treatment targets deemed undeliverable

Key government targets to improve wastewater treatment have been deemed largely undeliverable in a leaked document drawn up by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The document, obtained by Utility Week, was presented to ministers ahead of last week’s “Green Day” announcements.

Environment Agency staff to strike for four days

Staff at the Environment Agency (EA) are to strike for four days from next week after negotiations over pay and working conditions broke down. It comes as enforced pay rises had to be issued to some workers this week to avoid the EA being in breach of minimum wage laws that made £10.42 the minimum hourly rate from 1 April.

Fixing suppliers can’t hold up market reform, Glover warns

Investment in new generation cannot wait for the retail power sector to be reformed, RWE’s UK head Tom Glover has warned. Glover also warned that a "big bang" style review of the wholesale electricity market risks disrupting investment in the sector.

Regulators given greater powers to stamp out water pollution

Scale of energy pledges raises workload concerns

Concerns have been raised about the amount of work that the government has pledged to do in relation to energy security and net zero. Following last week’s splurge of ‘Green Day’ announcements, industry figures have told Utility Week that they are sceptical that all the work promised will be carried out on time.

Energy standing charges to hit record highs