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Ofgem boss issues warning to people planning energy bill boycott
The regulator’s CEO said the protest could drive up costs for ‘everyone across the board’
Ofgem has issued a warning to those planning on taking part in the nation-wide boycott of energy bill payments later this year.
As the cost of living crisis continues to take its toll, over 90,000 Brits have pledged to take part in Don’t Pay, which involves cancelling direct debits to energy companies from October 1st if the situation hasn’t changed by then.
The protest gained significant traction when it was announced the average annual energy bill would be rising from an average cost of £1,971 to £2,980 this October.
It is hoped that if enough people take part in the pledge, energy companies will be faced with no other choice but to reduce monthly costs.
Despite the campaign’s popularity, however, the UK’s energy regulator Ofgem has now issued a warning to those thinking of taking part, saying it could hike costs even higher.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today, Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, said: “I know everyone is extremely worried about paying their energy bills.
Read More: Campaign group urges Brits to stop paying their energy bills in protest of soaring costs
“But absolutely I would not encourage anyone to join a campaign like this for two reasons.
“First of all, it will drive up costs for everyone across the board. And secondly, if you are facing difficulty in paying your bill, the best thing you can do is get in touch with your energy company.”
He added: “I would not encourage anyone to withhold their paying their bill because that just damages things further and it will impact them personally.”
Shortly after his interview, the official Don’t Pay Twitter account tweeted: “Boss of Ofgem on £300,000 a year tells us to suck it up. Well we’re not this time.
“Sort out this mess otherwise we have no other option but to strike. Stand together and resist!”
This came just days after Ofgem announced the energy price cap will be updated every three months rather than every six months, as it warned that customers face a ‘very challenging winter ahead’.