Energy, water and broadband regulators are being urged to do more to support vulnerable consumers as rising bills threaten to worsen household debt.
A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found consumer debt to energy and water companies reached £7.2 billion in March 2025, with further bill increases expected to intensify financial pressure.
The PAC says regulators currently lack a comprehensive view of individual debt across the three sectors, making it harder to identify consumers who need support at an early stage.
It is calling on regulators and government to work together to help companies proactively identify vulnerable customers. This could include making discounted tariffs the default for those most in need and creating a central register allowing relevant information to be shared between suppliers.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the PAC, said: “Our Committee is asking Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom if they are going to sit back and watch as consumers navigate a confusing and inaccessible landscape – or will they and government work together to provide a united front for the public that could actually make a difference to rising hardship?”
The committee also highlighted low take-up of social tariffs. Just 6% of water customers in England and Wales and fewer than 9% of eligible broadband customers are currently using discounted tariffs.
The PAC has also called for a ‘tell us once’ approach, reducing the need for vulnerable customers to repeatedly provide sensitive financial information to different suppliers when seeking support.
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