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27 February, 2023

Government launches application process for energy bills support for households without a direct relationship with a domestic electricity supplier

Up to 900,000 households in Great Britain and 28,000 in Northern Ireland are now eligible to apply for the one-off payment

22 February, 2023

FCA publishes letter to debt advice firms on implementing new Consumer Duty from July 2023

Guidance identifies increased risk of financial hardship caused by rising cost of living as a key issue for firms to consider

21 February, 2023

Ofgem tells energy suppliers to reverse prepayment meter installations and compensate customers if installations are found to be inappropriate

Energy regulator also orders British Gas to suspend prepayment meter installations and the remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode, and makes agreement with all other suppliers to suspend these practices until 31 March 2023

21 February, 2023

20 February, 2023

Almost a quarter of Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers have not been redeemed

Energy Security Secretary calls on suppliers to consider replacing traditional meters with smart meters so that customers receive payments automatically

17 February, 2023

Impression that magistrates have been ‘waving through’ warrants for the installation of prepayment meters is ‘incorrect and unfair’

In addition, confirming that magistrates rely on utility companies' statements under oath on whether vulnerability checks have been carried out, Magistrates Association questions whether those statements can now be relied upon

14 February, 2023

Government launches consultation on draft legislation for the regulation of Buy Now Pay Later agreements

Scope of new regime will include third-party lenders offering BNPL-type agreements requiring authorisation and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority

10 February, 2023

Government confirms that all energy suppliers have committed to ending forced installation of prepayment meters in vulnerable households

However, Energy Security Secretary says that suppliers' failure to set out plans for redress to customers who faced wrongful installations means they are 'only at the beginning of correcting this abhorrent behaviour'

7 February, 2023

BEIS worked quickly to introduce energy bills support schemes but their near universal support created value-for-money risks

NAO warns that, while the Department is considering moving to targeted support in its next iteration of the schemes, this will require a more sophisticated approach to manage the potential increased risk of fraud and error

6 February, 2023

Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales instructs magistrates to stop listing applications for warrants of entry for purpose of installing pre-payment meters

Direction also says that any decision to recommence listing will depend on the progress of Ofgem's investigation into the practices of energy suppliers towards vulnerable customers

3 February, 2023

Ofgem takes action on forced installations of prepayment meters on vulnerable customers

Regulator launches urgent investigation into British Gas, and asks all suppliers to 'get their house in order'

3 February, 2023

23 January, 2023

Following huge surge in applications to force-fit prepayment meters, Business Secretary calls for energy suppliers to do more to support vulnerable consumers

Secretary of State says he wants suppliers to 'stop this practice and lend a more sympathetic ear', offering the kind of forbearance and support that a vulnerable customer struggling to pay should expect

20 January, 2023

Amendments to statutory debt solutions in Scotland

New statutory instrument makes changes aimed at providing improved access to debt relief for the most financially vulnerable

18 January, 2023

Almost 100 charities and non-profit organisations urge Chancellor to introduce social tariff to help low-income households with energy bills

Highlighting the 'devastating impact' energy prices have had on those with disabilities or on low incomes, letter to Mr Hunt says a targeted support mechanism is needed going forward

12 January, 2023

More than two million households are self-disconnecting their electricity or gas supplies every month as they can’t afford to top up their prepayment meters

Citizens Advice warns that situation is so acute that energy companies must now review all prepayment meter users and commit to install credit meters where necessary to remove risk of disconnection

11 January, 2023

9 January, 2023

2022 was a ‘truly horrendous year’ for living standards in the UK and there is more to come in 2023

Resolution Foundation also highlights that, even if the cost of living crisis ended today, the adverse and unequal impacts it has had would persist

4 January, 2023

People with a disability are almost three times more likely to live in material deprivation than the rest of the population

New Resolution Foundation research also finds that almost half of disabled adults have had to cut back on fuel this winter, compared to almost a third of those without a disability