Hundreds of thousands of customers have seen their energy supplier go bust since November 2016. Worse, before they collapsed, many were sanctions for terrible customers service. And the problems don't end with the supplier, many customers - and several people who simply used to live at the same address as different customers - have seen problems drag on long after the energy firm ceased trading. But, from June, companies will have to pass tough new rules proving their customer service is up to scratch and there is enough money in place to keep them going, while existing suppliers will soon be subject to new requirements too. Mary Starks, from regulator Ofgem, said: “Applying new requirements on suppliers entering and operating in the market will aid us to weed out those that are underprepared, under-resourced and unfit. She added: "Ofgem’s objective is to protect consumers while also ensuring they enjoy the benefits of increased competition and innovation that successful … [Read more...] about Tough new rules to protect customers and stop new energy providers going bust
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Renters energy bills could shrink by £180 a year due to new home efficiency laws
HUNDREDS of thousands of renters could see gas and electricity bills fall by £180 a year due to new home energy efficiency laws. From tomorrow landlords must install energy efficiency upgrades on properties which fall short of standards before renting them out again. The government estimates that this new rule will help up to 300,000 of the coldest privately rented homes - and could save bill payers up to £180 a year. The new measures mean landlords must ensure all properties have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of F or G warmer by installing floor insulation, low energy lighting or increasing loft insulation in homes. They must complete the work otherwise they could be fined up to £5,000. On average the work will cost £1,200 but where upgrades are over £3,000 landlords can apply for an exemption. Rising fuel bills are part of the reason that 2.55million households in the UK are trapped in fuel poverty, according to Government analysis. Last … [Read more...] about Renters energy bills could shrink by £180 a year due to new home efficiency laws
Record results for Kirkham-based national energy team
Kirkham-based energy procurement specialist Inspired Energy has seen its profits rise in what bosses say has been another record year. The annual results co-incide with the stepping down as non-executive director of Matthew Thornton husband of the firm’s founder Janet Thornton.She had started the firm in 2000 and herself stepped down in October 2017.Chairman Mike Fletcher Mr Thornton for his contribution over 18 years.He said: “Matthew was a member of the Board on the IPO of the business on AIM in 2011 and has been an intrinsic part of the Group’s success to date.”Today the AIM listed firm announced a 40 per cent rise in pre-tax profit from £2.99m to £4.2m with revenue up 24 per cent from £26.36m to £32.69m.It also saw its corporate order book rise 36 per cent from £39m to £53m. The firm completed five acquisitions in 2018, Inprova Finance Ltd, Squareone Ltd and Professional Cost Management Group Ltd, SystemsLink 2000 Ltd and … [Read more...] about Record results for Kirkham-based national energy team
Brits are owed £220 MILLION in overpaid energy bills – are you one of them?
Energy customers may be due a windfall they're unaware of . By Stian Alexander/Published 26th March 2019 OVERPAID: Energy customers should check whether they are in credit with their supplier (Pic: GETTY) Given the cost of keeping our houses warm and our morning showers nice and hot, winter is always tough on the old purse strings.But if you’ve felt the pinch during the cold months, you could be in for a pleasant surprise as it has emerged Brits are owed a whopping £220m from over paying their energy providers.Analysts at MoneySuperMarket found that the average customer paying by direct debit was £108 in credit with their energy provider after the winter months.Despite this, 54 percent had not been automatically refunded, leaving money sitting in their energy account when it could be in their bank account. Related Articles Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis reveals how to SAVE money on prescriptions Bride kicks 'well-mannered' guest out of wedding for wearing his … [Read more...] about Brits are owed £220 MILLION in overpaid energy bills – are you one of them?
Energy giants spent $1bn on climate lobbying, PR since Paris: watchdog
The five largest publicly listed oil and gas majors have spent $1 billion since the 2015 Paris climate deal on public relations or lobbying that is "overwhelmingly in conflict" with the landmark accord's goals, a watchdog said Friday. Despite outwardly committing to support the Paris agreement and its aim to limit global temperature rises, ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, BP and Total spend a total of $200 million a year on efforts "to operate and expand fossil fuel operations," according to InfluenceMap, a pro-transparency monitor. Two of the companies -- Shell and Chevron -- said they rejected the watchdog's findings. "The fossil fuel sector has ramped up a quite strategic programme of influencing the climate agenda," InfluenceMap Executive Director Dylan Tanner told AFP. "It's a continuum of activity from their lobby trade groups attacking the details of regulations, controlling them all the way up, to controlling the way the media thinks about the oil majors and climate." The report … [Read more...] about Energy giants spent $1bn on climate lobbying, PR since Paris: watchdog