Energy News

Know your rights if you fall behind with your energy bills

Wednesday 16 November, 2011

By Martin Fagan

New drive to help people understand what to do - and what their rights are - if they fall behind on their energy bills.

As energy price rises of up to 7% take effect, a new campaign has been launched to make people aware of their rights if they fall into debt with their energy company.

“Plug the Debt” is an awareness campaign organised by energy watchdog Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice.

The campaign springs from the concern that, as people struggle to afford higher energy prices, the number of people in debt to their energy firm and needing help is likely to rise this winter.

Following energy price increases of around 7% last winter, in spring 2011, the number of people with new energy debts increased by over a quarter for electricity and a fifth for gas, according to research from energy regulator Ofgem.

Ofgem’s figures, which are the most recent available, show that in Britain over 850,000 electricity customers and over 700,000 gas customers are already in debt to their energy supplier.

“A toxic cocktail of higher energy prices, rising bills for other essentials and falling incomes could push more people into debt with their energy company this winter,” said Mike O'Connor, chief executive of Consumer Focus.

“If you have problems affording your bills, your supplier has to help you and there are discounts and grants available to help you lower your costs. We'd urge people to get in touch with their energy firm as soon as they think they might have problems before debts start to spiral.

“You can also get in touch with Citizens Advice or the Home Heat Helpline to find out how you can cut your bills.”

Research from Consumer Focus showed that only 55% trust their energy supplier to help them if they get into debt.

In addition to Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice, the “Plug the Debt” campaign is also supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Ofgem, Energy UK, Age UK and Which?.