CAS Response to Ofgem self-disconnection and self-rationing consultation

CAS welcomes Ofgem’s proposals to improve outcomes for consumers who experience self-disconnection and self-rationing. We have identified a number of priorities:

• The standardisation of friendly credit dates and hours, where technically feasible
• Improvements to emergency credit provision, which maintains flexibility, but allows for the maintenance of supply in a reasonable worst case scenario
• The removal of barriers to discretionary credit, which maintains protection from excessive debt, but enhances consumer choice
• Improvements in how suppliers communicate with their prepayment customers, for e.g. as regards the seasonal accrual of standing charges
• The formalisation of Ofgem’s Ability to Pay principles in the licence code
• Utilisation of the full suite of smart functionality, for e.g. suppliers switching meters to credit mode to maintain supply
• Viable alternatives to prepayment, for e.g. clarification on the future of Third Party Deductions for energy (Fuel Direct)
• The extension of fuel voucher schemes (fuel credits)