Investigation into United Gas and Power Ltd’s billing and communications activities
Investigation
- Open
- Decision proposed
- Closed
Publication date
Closed date
Company
Decision
The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (“the Authority”) has confirmed its decision to impose a financial penalty on United Gas & Power Limited (“UGP”) for its failure to comply with Standard Licence Conditions (“SLCs”) 0A, 7A, 7B and 21.B of its Electricity and Gas Supply Licences.
SLC 0A (the Non-Domestic Standards of Conduct) sets out specific obligations concerning the requirement to treat Micro Business Consumers (“MBCs”) fairly.
SLC 7B was the previous iteration of SLC 0A and was superseded by SLC 0A on 10 October 2017. In this case the period of breach spanned both periods and hence both SLC 0A and 7B apply.
SLC 7A.1 sets out specific obligations to take all reasonable steps to identify whether or not a Non-Domestic Customer is a MBC or not (or to deem that customer to be an MBC).
SLC 7A.8 sets out specific obligations concerning the notification of MBC Contract terms and other information.
SLC 21B.1 sets out specific obligations concerning the requirement to bill based on meter readings.
The Authority considered it appropriate to impose a financial penalty for these contraventions and issued its Notice of intention to impose a financial penalty on UGP on 16 March 2023. There were no representations received in response to that publication.
The Authority has decided to impose a financial penalty of £1 on UGP. This is in addition to £2,111,798.00 (less £1) that UGP has agreed to pay in voluntary redress. The redress will be paid into Ofgem’s Voluntary Redress Fund (administered by the Energy Saving Trust) and the money will be distributed to appropriate organisations for the benefit of energy consumers.
Further details can be found in the final penalty notice (see the separate decision page linked to this investigation page).