Leaders from British Gas owner Centrica, EDF, Octopus Energy, and other energy firms will meet with government minister Miatta Fahnbulleh today to discuss strategies for supporting vulnerable households this winter.
Industry representatives from Energy UK, Ofgem, and Citizens Advice will also join the discussion with the energy communities minister.
According to newspaper reports, the meeting is expected to center on ways suppliers can help households currently in energy debt and prevent additional customers from falling into debt during the colder months.
Last Friday, energy regulator Ofgem announced a 10% increase in the household energy price cap for October, raising it to £1,717 for a typical household in England, Scotland, and Wales. This compares to last October’s cap of £1,834, £3,549 in October 2022, and £1,277 in 2021.
The new government has also unveiled plans to withdraw winter fuel payments from pensioners who do not receive benefits, aiming to save approximately £1.4 billion this financial year. However, some campaigners have expressed concern that this policy could lead to increased hardship for vulnerable elderly individuals.
The End Fuel Poverty coalition has warned that the move “has the potential to create a public health emergency.”
Yesterday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented, “I didn’t want to means-test the winter fuel payment, but it was a choice we had to make to protect the most vulnerable pensioners while addressing the need to repair the public finances.”
