Doris asks companies to change policy on heating and lighting reconnections
MSP Bob Doris, SNP government Minister Paul Wheelhouse and Vale of Leven housing estates from the air.
By Lizzie Healey
SNP MSP Bob Doris is leading a campaign to make it easier for vulnerable families who have had their heating and lighting turned off to have it reconnected.
Valeman Bob raised the matter at Holyrood again this week when he asked whether the government was aware of “energy company practices that exacerbate fuel poverty and indebtedness of vulnerable households seeking to reconnect their supply following disconnection”.
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse blamed the situation on Westminster which had “failed to create an energy market that serves all Scottish households fairly, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances”.
Mr Wheelhouse added: “The most recent data from the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets show that there were no disconnections in Scotland in 2017, which is welcome.
“However, those data do not capture the daily reality of self-disconnection by fuel-poor, indebted and vulnerable households. Self-disconnection data are not currently reported on; we continue to call for Ofgem to further investigate the hidden impact of self-disconnection, in line with the refresh of its consumer vulnerability strategy.”
Bob Doris said he raised concern about this matter before Christmas when people in his Glasgow were facing problems reconnecting their heating and hot water supplies.
He added: “My office worked with Citizens Advice Scotland and Scottish and Southern Energy to secure reconnection for 33 households by Christmas eve. However, dozens of homes remain disconnected, and significant concerns remain about prohibitive reconnection charges, unreasonable repayment schedules and the way in which energy companies define vulnerable households. For instance, energy companies are not including families with children in the definition.
“I appreciate that energy is reserved, but fuel poverty is very much this Parliament’s concern. Will the minister meet me to consider how we can support vulnerable households in such situations?
Paul Wheelhouse said: “Scotland’s vulnerable energy consumers remain a high priority for this Government, and fuel priority is a key priority. That is why, in 2016, we called energy companies to a summit, to discuss action to address fuel poverty and the extra costs that low-income families face.
“Energy suppliers and consumer groups were challenged to work collaboratively to improve consumer outcomes, in line with our ambition to eradicate fuel poverty.
“The work remains a high priority as we develop our Scottish energy consumer vision and action plan. To date, the energy companies have been supportive of the work that we are trying to do in that respect.”