energywatch & Annette Brooke MP say 'No' to New Year Disconnections

12.00.00am GMT Thu 18th Dec 2003

• Annette Brooke MP signs EDM 207 calling for a permanent end to disconnections

• energywatch continues campaign for Energy Bill to outlaw disconnections

Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, and energywatch the independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog, today joined forces to move one step closer to wishing a Happy New Year to all energy consumers. They issued a joint, resounding call for an end to the misery inflicted upon more than 22,000 families and individuals each year who are left in the dark and cold by their energy suppliers. The call was made by Mrs Brooke as she signed Early Day Motion 207, tabled by Mark Lazarowicz MP. EDM 207 is calling for a clause to be included in the Energy Bill that is currently going through Parliament, outlawing disconnections for both gas and electricity.

Annette Brooke MP, said

"Energywatch's campaign to end the practice of energy disconnections due to debt by some gas and electricity suppliers is really important, particularly at this time of year. Sadly, it is the vulnerable in society who are at risk of this, the most extreme form of fuel poverty."

Paula Rowe, energywatch Southern said: "It is high time that the use of disconnection was abolished, this kind of sanction is totally unacceptable in this day and age. Warmth and light are basic necessities of life and companies need to realise that abandoning customers in the dark and the cold is not an acceptable practice or an effective means of debt recovery.

"Consumers who are being disconnected are often living in poverty, having to make daily choices between heating their homes, eating or paying other creditors. What these consumers need is a more understanding approach from their energy companies.

Suppliers should provide support to consumers as soon as possible to help them to use their energy supply more effectively, to identify cheaper payment methods and to repay their debt in an affordable manner."

energywatch is also aware that some of the consumers who are being disconnected have actually been forced into debt by their energy suppliers through billing errors.

Paula continues: "Since 2001, 70,000 disconnections have resulted in consumers being left without cooking, heating, or lighting facilities in their own homes. Often households who are disconnected include those consumers who are most vulnerable, such as families with young children, consumers with disabilities or older consumers.

"Energy companies have plenty of other means of dealing with debt issues, which are more socially responsible and less damaging to families and individuals. energywatch's New Year wish is for the law to be changed so that consumers who are blighted by poverty can look forward to a happier, warmer and brighter 2004.