Ovo adds its voice to calls for a social tariff to help household bills

NICHOLAS EARL

OVO Energy has joined calls for a social tariff to help households grappling with record energy bills, as the government urges the industry to do more to support vulnerable energy users.

Raman Bhatia, chief executive of Ovo, told City A.M.: “Households have endured one of the worst economic shocks for a generation – and it’s critical we support them. We’re calling for a social tariff to help lower-income and vulnerable households receive ongoing help with their energy bills.”

The Big Six supplier is in favour of targeted relief for energy users identified by the government, in the form of a long-term cap on bills.

Similar social tariffs already exist in other industries such as the mobile and broadband sectors.

Investec has also lent its support to the concept of social tariff, arguing it could help create “a supply market that works for all”.