Fuel a
nd Water
Consumers have a fundamental need for the adequate and affordable provision of basic, essential services like fuel and water. Yet many people still have difficulty in accessing these services.
There are particular issues in Scotland in relation to supplying rural and remote areas. Many people on low incomes still cannot afford to pay their fuel and water bills.
Access, choice and information
Our work in these areas has a particular focus on the needs of disadvantaged consumers.
- We keep a watching brief on how consumers can access the services that they need and want.
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We look at the extent of the choice that is available
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We look to see if consumers have the information they need, presented in the way that they want to make informed choices.
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We work with Scottish Water, the Scottish Executive, the Water Industry Commission (the Regulator) and other stakeholders to ensure that the consumer perspective is highlighted in their policy- and decision-making.
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We work with the specialist consumer organisation for energy, energywatch Scotland.
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We liaise with Waterwatch Scotland.
energywatch and Waterwatch Scotland represent consumers of energy and water respectively, and deal with complaints.
We also work in partnership at UK level with the National Consumer Council, the Welsh Consumer Council the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland and others to tackle cross- border issues. for example, affordability. See below for links to the other UK Consumer Councils.
Competition and consumers
The
gas and electricity markets in Scotland were opened up to competition in
1998, giving consumers the opportunity to choose between a range of different
suppliers.
Competition is supposed to put consumers in the driving seat, giving them the power to choose and change suppliers so that they benefit from:
- lower prices
- better service,
- value for money
However, an increase in the number of suppliers will not in itself guarantee an effectively competitive marketplace for consumers. The range of services provided need to be truly accessible to everyone and not just customers with more spending power.
- People on lower incomes use a higher proportion of that income to pay for fuel and therefore stand to gain most from lower prices.
- People need clear, comparative information about complex tariff arrangements if their choice of suppler is to be an informed one.
- Consumers need a simple, quick and fair system for putting things right when things go wrong.
Latest news
October 2005 Burst Water Pipes
Graeme Millar, chairman of the SCC said: " Scotland has an ageing water supply system and burst pipes are inevitable. However, we are pouring money down the drain if these are not fixed as soon as possible. Scottish Water has an investment programme to modernise our water supply. It is vital that Scottish Water delivers on this programme if Scottish consumers are to get value for money."
July 2005 Scottish Consumer Council Looks Forward to Promises on Water Charges being Delivered
Commenting on the publication of the Water Industry Commissioner’s Draft Determination of Scottish Water and Sewerage Charges 2006-10, the Scottish Consumer Council said:
“The Scottish Consumer Council welcomes the news that, after many years of bearing the brunt of past under-investment in the industry, household consumers can expect to see water charges levelling out.
We welcome the recognition that low-income households have been hardest hit in the past with the introduction of a 25% discount for households in receipt of Council Tax Benefit. However we remain concerned there is no UK welfare benefit to allow low income households to meet their water charges.
Scottish Water faces a significant challenge is delivering the efficiency savings required by the WIC. The new Water Industry Commission faces a similar challenge in both ensuring that Scottish Water meets the objectives laid down by Ministers and in demonstrating to consumers that these objectives are making a difference to their water and sewerage supply.”
Scottish Consumer Council Successfully Campaigns for Stronger Consumer Representation in the Water Industry
We were successful in ensuring that the 2004 Water Services Bill was amended to give the Water Customer Consultation Panels stronger statutory powers.
The SCC called for the Panels to be formal consultees when the policy objectives for the industry are drawn up. The Scottish Executive introduced this as an amendment at the second stage. The SCC also called for the Panels to be given statutory rights of consultation in the regulator's charging determination and also in any proposal to change the function of Scottish Water. We also sought to ensure that the Panels and the regulator, the Water Industry Commission, would be required in statute to draw up a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of ensuring that the Panels had access to the information they would need to fulfil their functions.
We were pleased that the Environment and Rural Development Committee supported these proposals in its Stage One report. The Scottish Executive subsequently introduced all of these measures as Stage 2 amendments that were passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Water Services Act encompasses all of these powers for the Panels (which are now called Waterwatch Scotland). We will be observing how well Waterwatch Scotland is resourced by the Scottish Executive to enable it to undertake its role effectively.
Investment and Standards in the Water Industry
The Scottish Consumer Council was represented on the Project Board for the Quality and Standards III programme. This is the investment programme for the water industry in Scotland, focusing upon the period 2006 — 2014. It has outlined the investment required to meet public health and environmental requirements, alongside investment needs to improve and extend the existing network. The outcome of this approach has been the establishment of a prioritised, fully costed investment programme for the industry based upon a thorough assessment of legislative requirements and appraisal of costs and benefits of different options for meeting these requirements.
Scottish Executive Statement on Investing in Water Services for 2006 — 2014.
Links to other UK Consumer Councils
Contact
Our Policy Manager for Fuel and Water is Trisha McAuley.
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