Tag: Ofgem

British Gas fined £20m over forced prepayment meter scandal

Ofgem has closed its three-year investigation into British Gas over the forced installation of prepayment meters, concluding that the company breached licence conditions designed to protect vulnerable customers.

The regulator found that British Gas failed to meet the required standards when installing meters without customer consent, and that failings had been flagged to management through an external review in 2018 and an internal audit in 2021. Ofgem concluded that the remedial actions taken in response were inadequate.

As part of the settlement, British Gas has agreed to pay £20 million into Ofgem’s Voluntary Redress Fund, write off up to £70 million of energy debt for vulnerable customers, continue a £22.4 million voluntary support package for prepayment meter customers launched in 2023, and pay additional compensation to customers affected between 2018 and 2021.

The settlement sits alongside a separate Market Compliance Review in which eight other suppliers paid a combined £73.6 million in compensation, debt write-off and hardship payments relating to the same period. Two investigations remain ongoing.

Ofgem advises that customers who are due compensation will be contacted by British Gas and do not need to take any action. Compensation will be credited or paid directly to customers.

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“British Gas has finally been held to account for the forced prepayment meters scandal.

“The results of the Ofgem investigation are truly shocking. They have confirmed that British Gas knew about these failings as far back as 2018, was warned again in 2021, and still did not take adequate action.

“That means the firm knowingly forced prepayment meters onto customers, potentially including those with disabilities and families with young children.

“While the £20 million fine, combined with up to £70 million in debt write-offs, is a significant outcome to the investigation, it should not be mistaken for the end of this story.

“Households in energy debt are not there through choice. They are struggling because of five years of sky-high energy costs and an energy industry that has generated extraordinary profits while households suffer.

“We know that courts are still using batch processing to approve warrants for forced entry. We know customers are not given the ability to properly defend themselves during this process.

“The forthcoming Energy Independence Bill must include provisions to end the forced installation of prepayment meters and fundamentally reform the warrant process. This scandal must never happen again.”

Frazer Scott, Chief Executive of Energy Action Scotland, commented:

“It is clear that vulnerable people endured unacceptable practices that put them at risk.

“The scale of this is staggering and should waken the industry and regulator to the many warnings from the everyday experiences of the charity sector.

“Lessons must be learned not just fines determined through expensive investigations. That this investigation took over three years offers little comfort to those most affected by poor industry practice.”

Energy regulation expert Richard Winstone, commented:

“The cost of the temporary ban on prepayment meters was estimated at around £750m – this was paid for by consumers as an additional debt related allowance on the price cap.  The cost of a three-year investigation, including the cost of hiring PwC, is also borne by consumers. British Gas being hit with a £20m fine is barely a slap on the wrist.”

Jonathan Bean from Fuel Poverty Action added:

“It’s taken Ofgem three years to admit that energy firms can’t be trusted to protect vulnerable customers from cruel and dangerous prepayment meters. The trauma of having your home invaded, then the ongoing threat of being instantly cut off from electricity and gas when you are struggling.
“It’s disgraceful that British Gas may now get a green light to restart, especially given the worrying evidence that the new system is failing too.  Government needs to act urgently to ban forced prepayment meters, and protect people not profits.”

Energy bills announcement on 27 May as PM faces leadership challenge

On 27 May, Ofgem will announce the new energy price cap, and households will learn what their energy bills will cost them this summer.

For the millions of households living in fuel poverty and for those already in energy debt, this will be a question of whether they can afford to keep the lights on.

Yet at the moment this announcement approaches, political turbulence at Westminster is dominating the news, with ministers and MPs focused on questions of leadership rather than the cost of energy crisis.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition commented:
“In just 15 days, Ofgem will announce the new energy price cap and households will learn how much their energy bills will increase.

“The Government should be working flat out on a package of support for vulnerable households and those in energy debt now, while urgently reforming electricity prices to bring down costs for everyone.

“Energy bills were the number one cost of living concern for voters at the last elections. All MPs and Ministers should be focussed on addressing the challenges constituents face rather than internal party politics and the Westminster bubble.”

Parliament must bring an end to the forced pre-payment meter scandal

In 2022 and 2023, energy companies including British Gas, Scottish Power and OVO Energy were caught forcing pre-payment meters into the homes of vulnerable families. The then-Conservative government paused the practice amid public outcry.

Further media investigations revealed that magistrates are continuing to approve batches of warrants for forced entry into people’s homes, based on written evidence they have never seen, at private hearings the public knows nothing about. In one documented session, a debt agent dialled in by phone and named more than a hundred properties.

Following complaints, including from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, the senior judiciary has reviewed the process and raised no concerns. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has told the Press Association that it regards the process as “standard procedure.”

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said:

“The forced PPM scandal sent shockwaves through the energy industry, and – more than three years on – the fallout has still not ended.

“Ofgem has yet to conclude its long-running investigation into British Gas’ behaviour, and court cases involving vulnerable energy customers are still being heard behind closed doors and decided in bulk.

“If the Chief Magistrate and Ministers do not see a problem with this, then it is time for Parliament to act.

“The forthcoming Energy Independence Bill, expected in the King’s Speech, must include provisions that significantly reform the court processes introduced in the 1950s or enable Ministers to remove the threat of forced prepayment meters for households unable to pay their energy bills.

“Households in energy debt are not there through choice, they are struggling because of five years of sky high energy costs and an oil and gas industry generating extraordinary profits that ultimately end up on people’s bills.”

Ofgem set to get new powers to fight for consumers

Ministers plan to make major changes to give Ofgem new consumer protection powers.

These include a role for the regulator to enforce consumer law directly, meaning it will no longer need to go through a courts process to make sure customers get what they are owed if companies treat them unfairly.

Reforms to Ofgem’s remit to focus on economic and consumer protection and ensure every energy consumer is protected, including the ability to regulate in new areas of the market, such as heating oil and LPG.

Measures to ensure energy bosses are held accountable, with powers for Ofgem to ban their bonuses if they break the rules.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“The Government is right to give Ofgem more teeth, a broader role in regulating businesses across the energy sector and a clearer focus on ensuring the energy market works for consumers.

“Stronger enforcement powers, executive accountability and the ability to step in when the market fails are exactly what campaigners have been calling for. But Ministers must be clear that if the duties placed on Ofgem pull in different directions, vulnerable households must always come first.

“And of course, stronger regulation alone will not pay anyone’s energy bill. As part of the reforms, Ministers must stand ready to direct Ofgem to help bring down bills. This could mean delivering a social tariff for vulnerable customers, recovering excess network profits or tackling gas network ownership, market structures and technical processes that have for too long helped to skew the energy system in favour of energy giants.

“We look forward to working with ministers and officials to ensure that the new arrangements deliver for the millions of people who still cannot afford to heat their homes.”

Energy bills set to fall 7% from 1 April under Ofgem price cap

Ofgem has announced that the average household energy bill will fall by 7% from 1 April 2026.
The impact of the year-on-year changes could see the number of households paying more than 10% of their income on energy fall from 13.2m to 11.2m.
However, the changes will see energy bills remain £599 (57%) above winter 2020/21 and £73 (5%) above what they were on 1 July 2024.
Significant changes to unit costs and standing charges will take effect from 1 April 2026 and initial analysis suggests some households will see much bigger reductions than others.
A low usage household will see their bill reduce by around £80, while high usage households might see a £140 saving.
Using data from Scope and Mencap, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition has calculated that those reliant on energy for disability or health needs could see even greater savings, but will still experience a 64% ‘energy poverty premium’ with a typical bill much higher for these groups.
It remains unclear when and how energy firms will start to reflect these changes in the rates they advertise. The Government is expected to make a further announcement next month.
Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said:
“Government decisions are starting to make a difference and today’s fall in the price cap will bring some welcome relief to households who have been under intense pressure from high energy costs.
“But, of course, bills remain hundreds of pounds above pre-crisis levels and for millions of families in cold, damp homes this will not feel like the cost of living crisis is over. If the country is going to tackle energy affordability for good, this must be the start of deeper reform, not the end of the job.
“That means bearing down on excessive market trading costs, dealing with the growing mountain of energy debt, taking a hard look at how infrastructure costs are recovered from households and doing more work to reduce exposure to volatile gas prices.
“At the same time, the energy industry and its ultimate owners, including hedge funds and overseas investors, must continue to face scrutiny for the healthy profits made at the expense of households
“With the changes to both unit rates and standing charges still working through the system, consumers may need to be cautious about rushing into fixed deals right now. Bill payers may want to wait for the dust to settle and carefully check their specific usage to ensure any switch delivers the maximum savings.”
Hannah Wall, Community Heat & Energy Lead at climate charity Possible, said:
“Lowering the energy price cap by removing levies from customers’ bills is a welcome step forwards to support people who have been struggling with high bills. But far too many people are still living in energy poverty, and face impossible choices to keep their homes warm.
“Energy bills remain significantly higher than they were before the energy crisis, driven by soaring gas costs. The structure of our energy system still leaves us exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices. It’s unfair that our electricity bills continue to be tied to global gas markets, creating a distortion that makes it harder for people to switch to clean electric heating, which should be cheaper than dirty gas.
“We need faster action from the government to deliver promised reforms to the electricity market to ensure everyone can afford a warm home powered by clean, climate-friendly heat and energy.”
Independent Age chief executive Joanna Elson, CBE, said:
“Today’s energy price cap announcement will provide some brief respite for the older people in financial hardship, as a typical household energy bill is dropping by almost seven per cent to £1,641 from April.
“However, energy bills are still extremely high, and the older people on low incomes we support are seeing their budgets stretched beyond breaking point.
“This winter has been brutal, we have heard dreadful accounts of people in later life sitting in cold, dark homes, or cutting back on other essentials such as food so they can turn a radiator on.
“This poses a health risk to older adults and cannot be allowed to continue happening.
“There are immediate and long-term actions the UK Government can take to support people on low incomes who cannot afford to heat their homes.
“The recent Warm Home Discount extension was welcome, but at £150, it does not go far enough in supporting those in financial hardship.
“We want to see it increased to £400 to match the high cost of energy bills.
“Targeted bill support is also needed in the form of an energy social tariff that protects customers on low incomes from future spikes in costs.
“If the UK Government is serious about tackling the cost of living and raising living standards, it should take meaningful action to lift people out of fuel poverty.”
Jonathan Bean from Fuel Poverty Action, commented:
“Customers should not be fooled: energy bills are still £600 higher than 5 years ago, meaning the suffering will continue for millions of us.
“Up to £500 of our bills is energy firm profits which means that Ofgem and the Government are failing to protect us.
“We especially need a fairer deal on electricity pricing which is four times higher than gas, despite wind and solar energy being cheaper.”
James Taylor, director of strategy at Scope, added:
“Life costs a lot more if you’re disabled. The need to run lifesaving equipment or keep the heating on year-round means bills continue to be steep.
“We’re calling on Ofgem to do much more to protect disabled customers, and for the government to introduce a discounted energy deal for disabled people.”
Uplift Deputy Director Robert Palmer said:

“This is welcome news for millions of households as it shows the UK is starting to turn a corner on energy bills.

“Weaning ourselves off volatile gas is the only real long term route to affordable energy bills and last year we generated record-breaking amounts of renewable energy, with wind power cutting the wholesale cost of electricity by almost a third.
“Compare this to America where Donald Trump is blocking renewable energy and doubling down on fossil fuels, and electricity bills are rising.
“Today’s Price Cap shows we’re on the right path. It’s not just our bills that are benefitting from more renewables, our planet will too. This is a change that cannot come soon enough as already we’re seeing the impacts of climate change caused by our oil and gas dependency and the costs it imposes on everyone, whether that’s flooded homes and businesses or rising food prices.”

Energy bills likely to fall by over £100 from 1 April

Cornwall Insight’s latest price cap prediction would suggest average energy bills will fall by £117 from 1 April to £1,641.

This represents an increase from their previous prediction (£1,620), caused by the spike in gas prices earlier this year. If Ofgem confirms this prediction, it will still leave average energy bills £599 above pre crisis levels and £73 above the level at 1 July 2024.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“The April price cap will see one of the biggest changes in the make-up of energy bills in recent years.

“Budget decisions to remove costs from bills and Government moves to alter how the Warm Home Discount is paid for, will mean changes across standing charges and unit costs. Even those on fixed tariffs will need to look carefully to check that energy firms pass on the changes and potential savings to these customers.

“Meanwhile, volatile gas prices earlier this year also make the wholesale element subject to uncertainty and may create an upward pressure on bills for those on the standard variable tariff.

“Households will need to keep a close eye on Ofgem’s announcement next week and pay careful attention to the changes in unit costs and standing charges, rather than focus on the headline ‘average energy bill’ figure.”

Uplift Deputy Director Robert Palmer said:

“Predictions that energy bills will fall in April suggest that the UK is starting to turn a corner on energy bills.

“Last year we generated record-breaking amounts of renewable energy, with wind power replacing gas and reducing the wholesale cost of electricity by a third. This was partly possible because of the government’s clean power plan.

“The only real, long-term route to lowering bills is to get off volatile gas, whether that’s supplied by Putin, Trump’s America or profit-hungry oil and gas companies.

“It’s not just our bills that will benefit from more renewables, it’s our planet. Already we’re seeing the impacts of climate change caused by our oil and gas dependency and the costs it imposes on everyone, whether that’s flooded homes and businesses or rising food prices.”

Three years on – the forced prepayment meters scandal remains unresolved

More than three years after the forced prepayment meter scandal first broke, households are still facing forced entry into their homes under a court system now itself under formal investigation.

The 1st February 2026 marked the third anniversary of the Times‘ undercover investigation into British Gas. The Ofgem investigation into the firm is still ongoing with the regulator unable to confirm when it will be completed.

Campaigners continue to call for a full ban on forced PPMs until the justice process is proven to be transparent, lawful and safe.

What are “forced prepayment meters” (PPMs)?

Forced prepayment meters are installed when an energy supplier uses a court warrant or remote smart-meter switching to move a household onto pay-as-you-go energy without their consent, usually because of debt. When credit runs out, energy supply stops, leading to “self-disconnection”.

Key ongoing concerns

  • Lack of transparency: warrants approved in private, limited records, no public scrutiny.
  • Bulk processing: large batches approved together, sometimes after only a small “sample” was reviewed.
  • Procedural failings: reports of errors being found in some applications but the rest being approved regardless.
  • Risk to vulnerable households: including disabled people, those on the Priority Services Register and people living in cold, damp homes.
  • Regulatory delay: Ofgem’s British Gas investigation remains unresolved almost three years on.
  • Ongoing harm: energy debt remains at record levels, with PPM households at highest risk of self-disconnection.

Timeline

Before 2022

Forced PPM installations and warrant use were routine but largely hidden from public view.

2022

Media investigations reveal the scale of forced PPM installations and mass court warrants (4th December, the i). Evidence emerges of magistrates’ courts approving bulk applications with minimal scrutiny. Public and political concern grows over forced entry into homes of vulnerable customers.

Early 2023

The scandal escalates after reporting (1st February, the Times) exposes the practices of major suppliers, including British Gas.

Energy firms agree to a voluntary pause on forced PPM installations which campaigners say doesn’t go far enough.

Ofgem launches compliance reviews and enforcement investigations.

Mid–late 2023

As the public calls for a ban on forced PPMs and fresh concerns about energy firm behaviour toward vulnerable households are raised in the media, new “safeguards” and court processes are developed.

Ministers are accused of a dereliction of duty as a public consultation on the issue by Ofgem is overwhelmed with responses.

While formalised Ofgem rules replaced the voluntary commitment from 8 November, campaigners warn that a “cloak of secrecy” remains around warrant hearings and that the system risks repeating past failures.

2024

Some suppliers are allowed to resume forced installations under revised rules.

Ofgem announces redress and compensation schemes, but major enforcement cases continue.

2025

Energy debt reaches new highs.

Ofgem’s investigation into British Gas remains unresolved, now approaching three years.

Fresh reporting by journalists reveal that large batches of warrants are being approved. In some cases hundreds of warrants were authorised after only a small “sample” was reviewed and even when errors were identified in some applications, the rest were approved in bulk.

Following these revelations, the Chief Magistrate launches a formal review of the warrant process in England and new calls for a legislative ban on the process are made to Ministers.

Anne McLaughlin, the former SNP MP for Glasgow North East, led much of the Parliamentary pressure on the issue. She called the ongoing scandal “utterly ridiculous” and said:

“The fact that forced installations are still happening while both the courts process and Ofgem’s original investigation remain unresolved shows how little confidence there can be in the current system.

“The regulator has been painfully slow in investigating one of the worst culprits and as time drags on, memories fade and the people affected by the scandal are still to see justice done.”

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“It is beyond belief that more than three years after the forced prepayment meter scandal first broke, families are still facing forced entry into their homes under a court process that is now itself under formal investigation.

“No one should be pushed onto a prepayment meter, or threatened with a warrant, simply because they are struggling to pay their energy bills. 

“Until the Chief Magistrate’s review is complete and the system is proven to be transparent, lawful and safe, all forced prepayment meter installations must stop.”

Frazer Scott, CEO, Energy Action Scotland, said:

“It is unbelievable and inconsistent with high standards of consumer protection that it has now taken 3 years to investigate the behaviour of British Gas.

“In cases of suspected wrongdoing it should act swiftly to ensure that people are not put at risk. Many vulnerable people remain at risk of a forced installation until all outstanding investigations are concluded.

“9 energy suppliers have resumed forced prepayment meter installations. Others may yet restart. It is a worrying time for those in debt to their energy supplier, debt that stands at over £4.5bn.

“Consumer protection should be at the beating heart of the energy regulator, it needs to do more.”

Jonathan Bean, Spokesperson from Fuel Poverty Action, added:

“Forced prepayment meters are inhumane and dangerous. Disconnecting people from essential heating and power when they are short of cash is the exact opposite of energy security. Ofgem continues to fail in its statutory duty to protect us.”

ENDS 

More background information available here:  https://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/about-fuel-poverty/forced-pre-payment-meter-transfer/

https://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/tag/ban-forced-ppms/ 

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/check-energy-suppliers-can-install-prepayment-meters-without-household-permission

Heat network customers to see increase in protections

More than 500,000 heat network customers will receive greater consumer protections across England, Scotland and Wales.

Ofgem will now have powers to act if a heat network operator puts up prices unfairly, and if an operator delivers a poor level of service, with compensation awarded to customers who suffer a service outage through the Energy Ombudsman.

Homes and businesses on heat networks will receive clearer, itemised billing – with previous cases of customers being issued with an unexplained monthly charge – and there will be greater support for vulnerable customers.

Some heat network customers saw energy prices rises of up to 450% during the energy bills crisis.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:
“Bringing heat networks under Ofgem regulation is an important and long-overdue step. These networks should be able to deliver low cost energy for some of the poorest households in the country, but for years, heat network customers have effectively been second-class energy consumers, facing huge price hikes, poor service and little meaningful protection.

“Today’s change should finally give heat network customers basic rights around fair pricing, clear billing and redress when things go wrong. But regulation alone won’t fix everything. Ofgem and Ministers must now make sure these powers are used robustly, vulnerable households are properly protected, and that heat networks genuinely deliver what they promise: affordable, reliable heat that helps tackle fuel poverty, not deepen it.”

Ministers urged to halt forced prepayment meters amid secret court hearings concerns

Campaigners have written to the Government and Ofgem demanding an immediate new pause on forced prepayment meter installations, after fresh revelations that magistrates’ courts are continuing to approve bulk warrants through secret hearings.

In a letter sent to the Minister for Energy Consumers, the Minister for Courts and Ofgem’s Chief Executive, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition warns that households are still being subjected to forced entry and involuntary meter installations despite the scandal that first emerged more than three years ago.

The intervention follows recent reporting by journalist Tristan Kirk revealing that magistrates are routinely sitting in private and approving large batches of energy company warrant applications without examining individual cases. In some instances, courts reportedly approved hundreds of warrants after reviewing only a small “sample”, even when errors had already been identified.

The letter notes that these concerns have now prompted the Chief Magistrate to launch a formal review of the warrant system. However, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition has suggested that allowing forced installations to continue while the court process itself is under investigation leaves households at ongoing risk.

“These secret court hearings effectively punish households simply because they are struggling to pay their energy bills,” the letter states. “Many of those affected are already living in cold, damp homes and facing record levels of energy debt. Continuing forced action under a system now acknowledged to be under review is indefensible.”

The Coalition is calling for an immediate and comprehensive pause on all forced prepayment meter installations and warrant-based forced entry until:

– The Chief Magistrate’s investigation is completed and published in full

– Transparency is restored to the court process

– Ofgem concludes its long-running investigation into British Gas and affected customers are fully compensated

– Clear, enforceable protections are in place to prevent further harm.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said:

“It is extraordinary that more than three years after this scandal first broke, families are still being dragged through secret court processes that even now appear to lack basic safeguards.

“We now have confirmation that the Chief Magistrate is reviewing how these warrants are being issued. The only responsible response is to pause forced prepayment meters immediately, until that investigation is complete and the system is shown to be lawful, transparent and safe.

“No household should face forced entry into their home because they are in energy debt, especially when the process authorising that entry is itself under serious question.”

The Coalition also raised renewed concerns about the continuing delay in Ofgem publishing the outcome of its enforcement investigation into British Gas, which was launched following the original forced PPM scandal and has now been running for almost three years.

ENDS

The letter can be read online as a pdf.

More on the history and background of the Forced PPMs scandal: https://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/about-fuel-poverty/forced-pre-payment-meter-transfer/

Price cap tweaks fail households as cold snap hits the country

A marginal change to the energy price cap will put more pressure on struggling households this winter, campaigners have warned, with average bills still set to remain almost £700 higher than before the energy crisis.

Even when the changes to bills announced in the recent Budget come into effect in the spring of 2026, average energy bills will remain higher than they were in winter 2020/2021 and above the level of the price cap at the last General Election.

Meanwhile, evidence shows unsafe housing conditions are becoming entrenched. Almost a third (29%) of adults say they are unable to keep their home at the recommended minimum temperature of 18°C. [1]

For 14% of UK adults, the situation is so severe that they consider themselves to live in cold, damp homes, with much higher rates among low-income households, families with children and people with long-term health conditions.

Campaigners warn that these conditions are not just uncomfortable, but dangerous.

Among those living in cold, damp homes, almost one in five (18%) say they have experienced high levels of carbon monoxide in their home in the past 12 months. [2]

Yet even as households face growing risks, regulatory decisions continue to protect industry returns.

In the detailed price cap documents, Ofgem confirmed that the Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) allowance built into the cap will rise by £1.51 per household from January to March 2026. This represents a 4% increase, potentially handing suppliers millions of pounds of extra profit while the average household energy bill will rise by 0.2 percent. [3]

More broadly, analysis shows that just 27 energy companies from across the industry have made more than £125bn in UK profits since 2020, forming part of more than half a trillion pounds in global profits across the sector during the energy crisis. More than four-fifths of those profits come from companies with extensive involvement in the gas industry.

But reliance on gas is not only driving bills and profits – it is also a shrinking and risky foundation for the UK’s energy system.

Official data shows the UK will no longer be able to meet national heating demand using domestically extracted gas from 2027, underlining the growing disconnect between record profits and a North Sea basin in long-term decline.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said:

“It really is a case of every little doesn’t help as cold weather grips the country and the price cap nudges upward.

“Households are facing their fifth winter of unaffordable energy bills. For millions of people, this cold isn’t an inconvenience, it’s a real risk to health and safety as they struggle to keep homes warm.

“More households are being pushed into cold, damp homes where cutting back on heating, delaying repairs and blocking ventilation increases the danger of carbon monoxide exposure.

“At the same time, the energy industry has made more than £125bn in UK profits since 2020, including firms operating in a declining North Sea. Ministers must act now by funding the Warm Homes Plan, fixing energy pricing and introducing a fair social tariff so people can stay safe every winter.”

ENDS 

[1] Opinium conducted an online survey of 2,000 UK adults between 25th and 27th November 2025. Results have been weighted to be nationally representative.
18 degrees centigrade is the level advised by World Health Organisation experts to reduce the risk of illness. Telfar Barnard L, Howden-Chapman P, Clarke M, Ludolph R. Web Annex B. Report of the systematic review on the effect of indoor cold on health. In: WHO Housing and health guidelines. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018 (WHO/CED/PHE/18.03). Licence: CC BY-NCSA 3.0 IGO.

[2] Carbon monoxide, which is colourless, odourless and potentially fatal, is produced by faulty or poorly ventilated gas appliances, with risks increasing when heating systems are under-used or poorly maintained due to cost pressures. 

[3] See Ofgem summary of price cap changes pdf, p7.