Utility Week

Customers UTILITY WEEK | 16TH - 22ND FEBRUARY 2018 | 27 This week Energy firms could share benefits data Consultation begins on new powers to make it easier to protect consumers from 'unfair' bills Details of customers who receive certain state benefits could be shared with energy companies to ensure they are transferred to the safeguard tariff set by Ofgem, as the government considers introducing new data sharing measures. The government said it is taking "further steps" to tackle fuel poverty as it launched a consultation on 12 February on new powers to make it easier for consumers to be protected from "unfair" energy bills. It is seeking views on amending the Digital Economy Act to allow the sharing of information between public authorities and energy suppliers. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said data sharing would take place under strictly controlled conditions and only with customers' consent. Ofgem introduced a safeguard tariff cap in April 2017 for four million consumers on prepayment meters. This month, it was extended to a further one million who receive the Warm Home Discount. The powers proposed in the consultation will make identifying and protecting vulnerable consumers easier while still protecting their data, BEIS said. The move comes as the government prepares to introduce a Tariff Cap Bill, which it said will put an end to "rip off " standard variable tariffs. Dermot Nolan, chief executive of Ofgem, said: "The proposed amendments to legislation would help Ofgem to extend price protection to those who need it most." KP ENERGY Next day switching plans move ahead Ofgem has decided to press ahead with plans to bring in changes to switching arrange- ments that will let customers swap supplier by the end of the next working day. The regulator will introduce a package of reforms known as RP2a, which will require the Data Communications Company to procure a new centralised switching service to enable fast and reliable switching. The announcement follows the conclusion of a consultation launched in September. Explain- ing the regulator's thinking in a decision document, Ofgem chief executive Dermot Nolan said: "The current switching arrange- ments were largely designed for a more analogue age. The advent of smart meters, half-hourly settlement, price caps, and more fundamental changes to the energy system itself, means the time is right to reform switching arrangements too." WATER 70 new inspectors to plug Yorkshire leaks Yorkshire Water will employ around 70 new leakage inspec- tors to help meet its target of reducing the volume of water leaked from its network by 40 per cent by 2025. The company plans to invest several million pounds to trans- form its operational performance as it looks to become a "top performer" in the water industry, with tackling leakage high on its agenda. Yorkshire Water revealed its target for leakage in December, following the publication of Ofwat's PR19 methodology, which challenged water firms to reduce leakage by 15 per cent. Forty inspectors have been recruited already and 30 more will follow in the next few months, bringing the total team of leakage inspectors to 230. ENERGY Commission set up to help vulnerable Energy UK has launched an independent commission to look at how standards of support can be improved for customers in vulnerable circumstances. It will consider how different aspects of vulnerability – includ- ing mental health, financial vulnerability and disability – affect a customer's ability to engage with the energy market. The commission will also look at how suppliers, govern- ment departments and Ofgem contribute to care and support for those in vulnerable situations. A final report with recom- mendations will be released towards the end of this year. Fuel poverty: government taking 'further steps' I am the customer Dr Mike Keil "We have to do much more than just offer practical tips" "Save water as if your life depends on it." That was the stark message communicated to residents in Cape Town recently as a severe drought threatened to run the taps dry. The crisis in South Africa is a reminder that water is precious and not something we should take for granted. In the UK, one of the biggest challenges facing water compa- nies in our most water-stressed areas is ensuring our water sup- plies are resilient in the face of climate change and population be receptive to messages about saving water when they have a much better understanding of why it matters. It's then important water companies segment their audi- ence and tailor their messages accordingly, rather than adopt a "one-size fits all" approach to communicating with customers. Embracing this approach can help us as a sector to create a more compelling call to action. Dr Mike Keil, head of policy and research, Consumer Council for Water growth. Part of that challenge will be to encourage consumers to use water more wisely. But if we want everyone to play their part we have to do much more than just offer practical tips on saving water. Without setting the scene – like the fact there could potentially be a 22 per cent shortfall in water supply by 2050 – advice on what people can do to reduce their water use will fall on deaf ears. Sound obvious? You'd be amazed how oen the big picture is missed when it comes to the industry talking about water efficiency. And yet a study we carried out last year showed consumers are far more likely to

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