Debt

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 1:31 pm on 1 March 2023.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 1:31, 1 March 2023

Diolch yn fawr. We can't underestimate, can we, the financial challenges being faced by so many households across Wales. In fact, today's figures are estimating in the millions—2.5 million again into fuel poverty. What we're doing is targeting financial support to households to help maximise income and avoid falling into debt. But, I mean, clearly, there are issues that also lie very much within the responsibility of the UK Government, and I'm particularly concerned about the impact on the most vulnerable households, which, as you say, are often those who are on prepayment meters.

I think this is where the work that we've been doing yesterday—. In fact, I met with Ofgem officials, and I met with the Ofgem board only a few weeks ago, and pressed Ofgem to consider Wales's most vulnerable households when using their regulatory powers to review energy suppliers' practice. I also said, in terms—. I asked them questions about their review into British Gas. I asked them about reviews into other energy suppliers. I also said that although they are banning the installation of prepayment meters until the end of March, that should be extended. I called for it to be extended because they are undertaking some reviews on other suppliers, I understand. And I called for the social tariff.

Can I say that I'm very pleased to have met with the Enforcement Conduct Board and also raised this with Ofgem and suggested—and I'm making this clear to Ofgem and the UK Government—that debt collectors employed by energy suppliers should be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board?