Utility Week

Customers UTILITY WEEK | 3RD - 9TH AUGUST 2018 | 27 A proposed change to the codes that govern the water retail market will result in customers being able to be back-billed, Castle Water has warned. At an emergency meeting of the Codes Panel on 16 July, a vote was taken to defer produc- ing final settlement reports. Ofwat's website currently advises customers: "You should not receive a bill for any period WATER 'Unacceptable' code change 'would allow retailer back-billing' beyond 16 months." But Castle Water warned the vote to sus- pend final settlement reports could lead to customers being able to be back-billed "against the intention of the market and against Ofwat's express advice". Castle Water chief executive John Reynolds said the vote "defies belief ", adding: "There is no need for this change to the market codes, which fundamen- tally changes the basis of the water market." The company said it was the only retailer to oppose the change; all other panel members voted for the deferral. Wave – of which Anglian Water Business is now part – Clear Business Water and water2business all told Utility Week's sister title Water.Retail they believe it is better to spend time resolving issues and getting This week Energy supplier Iresa ceases trading Ofgem in the process of choosing a supplier of last resort for the company's customers Small energy supplier Iresa has ceased trading and Ofgem is in the process of choosing a supplier of last resort. The troubled company, which has fewer than 100,000 custom- ers, had been banned from taking on new customers since March this year. It was also not allowed to request one- off payments or increase direct debits until customer service failings had been addressed. The company was subject to a wider investigation by Ofgem, launched in February, into its customer service processes. The move followed customers facing a sudden direct debit increase or a one-off payment of hundreds of pounds. Iresa's website is no longer operational and includes a statement advising customers about the closure. It said: "Iresa Limited will be ceasing to trade. Ofgem, the energy regulator, is appointing a new supplier for its customers. "Customers need not worry, their supplies are secure and credit balances are protected. "Ofgem's advice is not to switch, but to sit tight and wait until the new supplier has been appointed. "This will help make sure that the process of handing customers over to a new supplier, and honouring credit balances, is as hassle free for customers as possible." Ofgem confirmed energy supply of Iresa customers will "continue as normal" and outstanding credit bal- ances will be protected under the regulator's safety net. A new supplier will be chosen and customers will be contacted by this supplier once the process is complete. Rob Salter-Church, Ofgem's interim executive director for consumers and markets, said: "Ofgem is working to choose a new supplier as quickly as possible for you." KP ENERGY Small-scale supplier has licence revoked Non-domestic provider National Gas and Power (NGP) has had its supply licence revoked by Ofgem because it is unable to pay debts of more than £200,000. The small-scale supplier was operational from June last year and had about 80 business cus- tomers. These will be transferred to Hudson Energy, which has been appointed as the supplier of last resort by the regulator. Hudson, a creditor, served a statutory written demand to NGP on 30 May for the sum of £212,113.73 under the Insolvency Act 1986. The demand was not met within the required three- week time frame. Ofgem gave notice to revoke the licence, with effect from 26 July, "to protect the interests of customers". In the decision document confirming the appointment of Hudson, Ofgem noted Hudson previously had a "white label relationship" with NPG and was satisfied the pre-existing links will allow for a smooth transition of NPG customers to Hudson. Utility Week contacted NGP for comment, but had received no response as it went to press. ENERGY Government plans to deliver midata The government says it plans to put energy customers "in control of their data" by implementing midata in the sector. Midata is a method of elec- tronically transferring custom- ers' data with consent from a company system to a third-party intermediary using an applica- tion programming interface. In a response to the call for evidence published on 27 July, the government said midata in the energy sector enables customers to access their data "quicker and easier". The system is already used by seven of the larger companies within the industry and allows customers to compare energy tariffs on price comparison web- sites using personal data held by their current supplier. It will be implemented through an Ofgem- led amendment to its standard licence conditions. Concerns have been raised regarding an "ambitious" target to respond to the key issues of informed consent and the verifi- cation of consent by the end of February next year. Three working groups (user engagement, design authority and industry delivery) have been established and will meet over the summer to consider aspects of the design specification. Energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry said: "This government has committed to an energy market that works for everyone and consumer control is a key part of that. "Midata will mean that energy suppliers will have to put con- sumers in control. It will allow the fast, secure exchange of data, giving consumers seamless access to the best energy deals." Iresa: customer service failures the information in the central systems correct so that billing is accurate. MOSL said its view was that there were "sufficient" actual, rather than estimated, reads in place for the final settlement reports to be run now. "It is a matter of judgement. The panel voted to propose a time-limited delay to Ofwat. Ofwat will have the final decision on this."

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