Fiona welcomed Government proposals to ensure that the most vulnerable benefit from cheaper energy prices.
The Government is proposing to bring in measures to help reduce bills so vulnerable consumers receiving certain benefits would automatically be protected by a safeguard tariff.
This month the safeguard tariff cap, which already protects 4 million consumers on prepayment meters, has been extended to a further one million customers who receive the Warm Home Discount. These proposals would further extend this protection to even more consumers.
Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark MP said:
"The effects of energy price rises are often felt most by those on the lowest incomes, as they are usually on the highest standard variable tariffs. These people are at risk of being plunged further into fuel poverty if they are left at the mercy of a broken energy market. Enabling energy suppliers to establish who should be on Ofgem’s safeguard tariff cap will help these vulnerable consumers. The government is committed to tackling fuel poverty. We want to make it easier for those vulnerable consumers to bring their energy bills down. And it doesn’t stop there. We are working with Ofgem and other partners to ensure that switching is made easier and we’ll be introducing an energy price cap bill soon so that we can have an energy market that works for everyone."
Fiona said:
"It is essential that we protect the most vulnerable in our society and explore ways in which we can better support them. I welcome the Government's proposals which will support the financially hardest pressed which will target support for those who need it most and are those least able to afford a warm home."
You can make your views known here: Proposals to extend safeguard energy tariff