Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it mandatory for energy providers to make an assessment an assessment of a consumer's situation and ability to pay their bills before they are disconnected.

Ofgem’s rules require energy suppliers to engage with customers in or at risk of payment difficulty and offer services to help with bill payment or debt repayment, based on a customer's ability to pay.

Ofgem’s rules also prevent disconnections during the winter for non-payment of bills for older people or those under 18 and require suppliers to take all reasonable steps to avoid disconnection in winter for those with a disability or long-term illness. Disconnection for non-payment of gas or electricity bills is rare, with Ofgem reporting that only one customer was disconnected in the first two quarters of 2021.