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(Alliance News) - The UK government has called on Good Energy Group PLC, Utilita Energy and Iberdrola SA's subsidiary Scottish Power, to help their prepayment customers claim GBP400 in support vouchers after naming them as falling short on sending the help out.
Around 30% of vouchers have not yet been redeemed by prepayment customers, despite freezing temperatures in recent weeks, government figures published on Monday show.
E Gas & Electricity Ltd is among the best at delivering the Energy Bills Support Scheme with an 85% redemption rate, while Bulb is second on 79%.
Those with the fewest redemptions include Good Energy, Utilita and Scottish Power, with the government calling on them and others to make sure they are doing all they can to ensure customers with prepayment meters know what to look for and how to redeem the vouchers.
Some GBP5.7 billion has been provided to 99% of households in Great Britain through the scheme, with 71% of prepayment vouchers redeemed so far, according to the figures.
Customers receive the discount in the same way they pay their energy bills, such as by direct debit, credit, smart meters and prepayment meters.
Most people receive the support automatically, but those on prepayment meters are sent monthly vouchers by their supplier by text, email or post.
Suppliers are expected to tell customers where to redeem vouchers – at a Post Office branch or a PayPoint PLC shop – and must make several attempts to contact customers who have not redeemed their vouchers.
Business & Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said: "The public have a right to know which suppliers are leading the charge with getting this help to them, and that's why I'm holding energy companies to account to make sure they are doing everything they can to support their customers at this time.
"We're ramping up efforts so consumers know exactly what they need to do to redeem these vouchers, but we need suppliers to do much more and I want to see these numbers rise."
Which? Director of Policy & Advocacy Rocio Concha said: "It is very concerning that around 30% of vouchers still haven't been redeemed – even with freezing temperatures last month – and that suppliers including EDF, Scottish Power, Energy Plus Supply Ltd, Good Energy and Utilita are falling short in making sure this support reaches their customers.
"As an urgent priority, the government and energy suppliers must work together to share best practice and quickly improve the scheme to ensure that all customers on these prepayment meters – who are more likely to be vulnerable and on lower incomes – are able to access this vital support without further delay.
"Traditional prepayment meter customers should also be prioritised in smart meter rollouts where appropriate, so that financial support can be delivered automatically in future.
"If you are on a traditional prepayment meter and haven't received your vouchers or are unsure of how to redeem them, you should get in touch with your supplier for more information and to make sure they have the correct contact details."
The figures follow Shapps's demand over the weekend that energy suppliers stop forcing financially stretched households to switch to prepayment meters.
He also vowed to "name and shame" the worst offenders.
Good Energy shares fell 1.8% to 165.00 pence each on Monday afternoon in London.
By Josie Clarke, PA Consumer Affairs Correspondent
Press Association: Finance
source: PA
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