MSE News: Energy firms ordered to provide extra support to more vulnerable customers

Legacy_user

EE customers have been told to stop using the firm's portable mobile 'power bar' chargers immediately...

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'Hundreds of thousands more vulnerable energy customers will get extra support from their suppliers from 2017'

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[Deleted User]

MSE_Callum wrote: »

EE customers have been told to stop using the firm's portable mobile 'power bar' chargers immediately...

Read the full story:

Looks like someone was on the beer last night. What has this to do with help by energy suppliers to the vulnerable?

molerat

You must give help to read meters and give extra support - but you don't have to give them access to your cheapest tariff, well done OFGEM. :mad:

Pincher

Help the vulnerable?
Can they even help the able bodied, and sound of mind?

A cheerful voice will call up, saying how can we help, and then fail to help in every possible way. Offer £50 compensation, because he/she just sits behind a telephone. Close the case, job done.

Offer free euthanasia instead, it's more merciful.

fredandwilma

gsmlnx wrote: »

Looks like someone was on the beer last night. What has this to do with help by energy suppliers to the vulnerable?

Very little, in my experience.

molerat wrote: »

You must give help to read meters and give extra support - but you don't have to give them access to your cheapest tariff, well done OFGEM. :mad:

As I've stated in another thread, "vulnerable" customers don't have access to cheaper tariffs or specifically cheaper tariffs. It's never going to happen.

Pincher wrote: »

Offer free euthanasia instead, it's more merciful.

Well, there's a solution?


Frankly, it all means nothing. I've been on the register for some time.

a) I've never had a password to safely identify representatives

b) I only see a rep, once a year

c) "Advance notice of power cuts and information on any help available during emergencies" - Impossible for unplanned power cuts. Help? - You're having a larf. You're in the same boat as everyone else experiencing a power cut.

It real terms, it means nothing. It's just words, in any case.

What extra help do suppliers provide via the register?

Those on the register currently get extra support from suppliers and power networks, including:

A password so they can safely identify representatives who visit their homes
Readings for customers who struggle to read their meters
Advance notice of power cuts and information on any help available during emergencies
Ofgem believes the change in eligibility rules will mean hundreds of thousands more customers could benefit from being on the register.

Micron

fredandwilma wrote: »

It real terms, it means nothing. It's just words, in any case.

Ofgem make it quite clear on how they help vulnerable customers.

Ofgem’s Consumer Vulnerability Strategy
Our strategy explains how we define vulnerability and the approach we encourage market participants to take to protect and empower consumers in vulnerable situations, so they are not disadvantaged by their circumstances.

Joyful

The priority services register (PSR) does work. I have known generators brought to customers homes who are on Oxygen or have stair lifts and stand alone heaters and table top cookers also loaned to customers. This work is done by the local distributors and the gas transporters. Once you are on the register, your supplier lets those companies know. Regarding passwords you can ask for this at any time, even if you are not on the register.

If anyone helps with family or friends they should make sure they are on the PSR.