Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda and Ogmore)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he has taken to help ensure that (a) energy companies and (b) network operators can contact consumers on the Energy Priority Services Register during a power cut once the public switched telephone network switchover is complete.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
Ofgem rules require all energy suppliers and network operators to provide and maintain a Priority Service Register, which is a free support service available to people in vulnerable situations. Wherever possible, PSR customers should receive advanced notice of scheduled power cuts and given priority support in emergencies, and nominee schemes so that friends and family can be contacted and act on behalf of the householder.