Fuel poor helped by social tariffs, Ofgem says

19/08/2009

Details of the spending plan to help vulnerable customers by Britain's "big six" gas and electricity firms have been released by Ofgem.

The industry regulator said that the companies spent £157 million on social and discounted tariffs and other programmes over the past year - with discounts given to those in "fuel poverty".

In all, the number of social tariff accounts was found to have risen by 200,000, or 25 per cent, between October 2008 and March 2009.

Maxine Frerk, Ofgem's director of governance, consumer and social affairs, said: "This is a very encouraging outcome for the first year of the commitment, especially in the current tough economic climate.

"We are particularly pleased to see the increase in the number of customers benefitting and encourage suppliers to continue to focus on how best to help their vulnerable customers who are struggling to pay their bills."

Fuel poverty is officially defined as occurring when a household spends over ten per cent of income on gas and electricity bills.

Energy firms have already committed themselves to increase their spending on social programmes each year for the next three years.

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Retirement Money Problems, Credit Card Lifestyle,

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