1 Introduction
1. In the autumn of 2003, there was an outcry when
Mr and Mrs Bates, a pensioner couple, were found dead in their
home after their heating supply had been disconnected for non-payment
of a bill. It became apparent that the couple had become too frail
and confused to cope with things like bill payments, but none
of the organisations that might have helped them had been alerted
to their problems. One of the issues raised in the media was whether
gas and electricity companies should continue to have powers to
disconnect customers for non-payment of bills, or whether there
should be a ban on such fuel disconnections as there is in relation
to water supply. On several occasions during the consideration
of the Energy Bill [Lords] in 2004 Members of Parliament
and Peers tabled amendments to the Bill to restrict the right
of gas and electricity companies to disconnect the fuel supplies
of vulnerable customers.[1]
Government Ministers opposed these amendments, which were withdrawn.
The Energy Act 2004 contains no ban on disconnections.
2. On 8 June 2004, we announced that we intended
to conduct a short inquiry into the incidence of fuel disconnections,
and the measures taken by the regulator of the gas and electricity
industries, Ofgem, and the fuel suppliers to protect the most
vulnerable customers. We took oral evidence from the Energy Retail
Association (the industry body representing gas and electricity
supply companies), Energywatch (the consumer watchdog for the
industry), the charities Help the Aged and National Energy Action,
and Ofgem. In addition, we received written submissions from a
group of academics, Age Concern, Energy Action Scotland, the Parliamentary
Warm Homes Group and individual members of the National Assembly
for Wales, the Public Utilities Access Forum, Unison, the companies
British Gas, EDF Energy and Powergen, and the National Consumer
Council. We are grateful to our witnesses and to all those who
submitted written evidence.
1 Official Report of the Grand Committee on the Energy
Bill, HL, 2 March 2004, cols 230-234; HL Deb, 1 Apr 2004, cols
1505-1510; Stg Co Deb, Standing Committee B, Energy Bill [Lords],
22 June 2004, cols 526-529; HC Deb, 13 July 2004, cols 1344-1351 Back
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