Laws to stop gas customers being disconnected to be fast tracked

The disconnection of customers who have not paid their bills has been paused until mid-January

Support will be sought to have new laws that would stop gas customers being cut off in certain circumstances fast tracked through the Manx parliament.

The legislation would allow the Council of Ministers to specify the conditions of disconnections for non-payment.

Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan said it would be a "backstop" to "better protect people".

It comes after a recent spate of termination notices by monopoly gas provider Isle of Man Energy.

Ms Lord-Brennan intends to have the Gas Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2023 pushed through both branches of the Manx parliament on Tuesday.

Earlier this week, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) confirmed the gas provider would continue a pause disconnections until mid-January.

But Ms Lord-Brennan said there has been growing reports in recent weeks over customers being disconnected, which in some cases had "caused great distress".

The Gas Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2023 will be brought to the House of Keys on Tuesday

Ms Lord-Brennan said: "The Council of Ministers has viewed this with significant concern and sought to identify what action can be taken to better protect people.

"It is clear that additional safeguards by way of legislative measures are now appropriate as a backstop, notwithstanding Isle of Man Energy publishing its disconnection policy."

The changes are expected to mirror UK protections for groups deemed more vulnerable or at risk.

A further amendment would compel energy bodies to provide documents used in the fixing of tariffs to the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority to support its function as a regulator.

If the bill is successfully passed, consultation with the regulator would take place to set out the circumstances where a gas supplier would not be allowed to cut off a supply.

An order setting that criteria out would then require Tynwald approval.

People struggling with payments have been urged to contact the OFT and utility providers as a change in the law would not see outstanding customer debt written off.

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