Energy UK launches Commission for Customers in Vulnerable Circumstances

* LORD WHITTY, INDEPENDENT CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION, ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF FIVE COMMISSIONERS

* CALL FOR EVIDENCE PUBLISHED TODAY TO GATHER VIEWS FROM AS BROAD AS POSSIBLE SPECTRUM OF STAKEHOLDERS

* THE COMMISSION WILL REPORT BY THE END OF 2018, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

Five commissioners have today been announced to the COMMISSION FOR CUSTOMERS IN VULNERABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. THESE ARE JOANNA ELSON, Chief Executive of the Money Advice Trust, SIMON CRINE, Director at the Money and Mental Health Policy Unit, CAROLINE WELLS, co-founder of the disabled access review website MeIncluded, JANET MORRISON, Chief Executive of Independent Age AND AUDREY GALLACHER, DIRECTOR OF RETAIL ENERGY SUPPLY AT ENERGY UK.

THE COMMISSION ALSO TODAY PUBLISHED A CALL FOR EVIDENCE inviting submissions from a wide range of organisations – such as charities and businesses that have experience working directly with people in vulnerable circumstances – to help the Commissioners identify the full range of issues as well as highlighting good practise within the energy and other sectors.

Over the course of 2018, the Commission will also hold a series of hearings around the UK with consumer groups, those representing the elderly and people with disabilities, experts on financial vulnerability and mental health charities among others.

Chair of the Commission for Customers in Vulnerable Circumstances, Lord Whitty, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome such high calibre individuals onto the Commission. The range of experience and expertise they bring will make a huge contribution as we start work on this vitally important project.

“Identifying and helping those in vulnerable circumstances is a complex and challenging issue for the energy industry and for front line suppliers in other sectors. Financial difficulties, disability, physical and mental health problems and life changing events can put any of us in that situation – either temporarily or over the longer term.

“I would urge all organisations and stakeholders with views on this important and complex subject to submit their evidence and views for the panel of Commissioners to consider. The energy sector has made significant progress but there is much more to do and we will be using our findings to challenge the industry on where it can go further .”