Gregory Campbell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2016-02-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of steps taken by energy suppliers to ensure customers with severe medical conditions are aware of the assistance available through the Priority Services Register.

Andrea Leadsom

Energy suppliers are required by their licence conditions to take reasonable steps at least once a year to inform their domestic customers about the Priority Service Register. They are required to explain how customers who are of pensionable age, disabled or chronically sick may become listed on it to receive free services to help them with their access, communication and safety needs.

Ofgem is carrying out a review of the Priority Service Register to ensure the existing services meets the needs of consumers in vulnerable situations. As part of the review, Ofgem is currently consulting on proposals, including changes to eligibility requirements to ensure support is better targeted to customers in vulnerable situations. The consultation closes on 18 February 2016 and is available on Ofgem’s website at:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/psr_final_proposals_final_0.pdf

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