1st Mar 2005 14:21
Scottish & Southern Energy PLC01 March 2005 SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN ENERGY PLC SUPPORT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE CUSTOMERS Scottish and Southern Energy plc ("SSE") has announced the details of a newtariff and package of services for its most vulnerable customers which it willintroduce later this year. The announcement was made during a presentation bySSE's Chief Executive, Ian Marchant, at an energy conference in London organisedby Amicus today (1 March). Qualifying customers will be offered: •electricity and gas prices around 20 per cent lower than current market prices; •a benefits health check, where appropriate; •free energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation; and •the loan of an A-rated fridge or fridge freezer if their existing one is inefficient. These services will be offered to those customers with multiple problems - a lowincome that needs to be supported by particular benefits; special needs, such asa disability; and a home that has particularly poor energy efficiency. Over the first three years, SSE expects up to 30,000 households might qualifyfor the new tariff and services. The combination of lower prices, energyefficiency measures and the installation of A-rated refrigeration equipmentshould enable a family living in a three bedroom semi-detached house to cuttheir total energy bills by around 30% or around £200 a year. In addition to the new tariff and services, SSE is also intending to extend tocustomers who pay for their energy via Fuel Direct the same discount on theirbills (6%) as those who pay via Direct Debit. (Fuel Direct is a means by whichpeople in receipt of certain benefits such as income support can pay for theirenergy and is guaranteed by the Department of Work and Pensions.) Ian Marchant said: "While we do not believe that the energy supply industry is responsible for fuelpoverty, we do believe that it is in the long-term interests of the industry tobe seen to be making a real effort to play our part in dealing with the problem.There is now a universal understanding that the price of electricity and gas isjust one of three factors which will determine if a household is going to fallinto fuel poverty. The other factors are the income of the household and theenergy efficiency rating of the property that the household occupies. Tackling fuel poverty is in everyone's interests. So, in this climate ofpartnership, we want to play a constructive part, along with the government,other energy supply companies and the relevant agencies. That's why we have puttogether this package." Enquires to: Alan Young, Director of Corporate Communications 0870 900 0410Denis Kerby, Investor and Media Relations Manager 0870 900 0410 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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