UKPN backs wider use of vouchers for disabled customers

UK Power Networks (UKPN) has called for more energy companies to provide direct support for disabled customers.

In partnership with charity Scope, UKPN trialled a voucher scheme for customers with disabilities between November 2022 and March this year.

More than 1,000 customers received an £80 voucher towards their energy bill as part of the scheme.

UKPN is now looking at expanding the scheme this winter and is urging other companies to follow suit.

Ian Cameron, director of customer service and innovation at UKPN, said: “Electricity is a service essential for life. Our customers rely on it, and some lives depend on it. At UK Power Networks, we have a social responsibility to our customers, and it is clear the impact of these vouchers goes much further than their monetary value.

“We’re incredibly proud to have worked with Scope to prove that a scheme like this works and can have a profound impact on our people’s lives. We hope that other companies will adopt this tried and tested mechanism to support more customers as we look towards what will likely be another difficult winter.”

Michael Winehouse, head of partnerships income at Scope, added: “This scheme has been a lifeline for disabled people in crisis, facing sky-high energy bills with nowhere to turn.

“Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled. Many disabled people have cut back everything they can and are facing impossible choices like going without heating or medical equipment, or spiraling into deeper debt.

“A voucher can provide a bit of breathing space so someone can make a hot meal or put the heating on.

“We hope many more across the industry will follow UK Power Networks’ lead and provide tangible, urgent support to disabled people and their families.”

The scheme was established after research by Scope found that disabled households face on average extra costs of £975 a month to reach an equal standard of living with non-disabled households.

Introducing more protections for the most vulnerable energy customers is a core element of Utility Week’s Action on Bills campaign, which is urging the government to introduce support this winter ahead of more targeted measures by April 2024.

The key asks of government are:

• A clear plan for targeted support on energy bills for vulnerable customers to be put out to consultation before the summer recess with a target of putting this into action by April 2024
• A revised Energy Bills Support Scheme to be brought in for next winter while a more targeted approach is being designed
• Defra to support social tariffs in the water sector through a clear funding commitment and a definitive stance on whether there should be a single social tariff