Latest news with #CathrynScott
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
Scotland Gas Networks among firms to pay £8m in fines
Regulator Ofgem said Cadent Gas, Scotland Gas Networks and Southern Gas Networks have voluntarily agreed to pay the funds after missing their targets between 2022 and 2023. Ofgem's rules require companies which manage the gas network to attend reports of suspected gas leaks within one or two hours, depending on the incident, in 97% of cases. Southern Gas Networks will pay £5.8m, Cadent will pay £1.5m, and Scotland Gas Networks will pay £700,000. READ MORE: Scottish travel firm puts 10 buses up for auction after closing 'out of the blue' The cash will go into Ofgem's voluntary redress fund, which provides money for projects that support vulnerable energy consumers. Cathryn Scott, director of market oversight and enforcement at Ofgem, said: 'The potential risk to households and businesses if gas leaks aren't investigated quickly is significant, so it's right that the companies involved have acknowledged the seriousness of missing these targets. 'We're confident the companies have improved their systems and processes to make sure this doesn't happen again and have demonstrated their commitment to this by meeting their targets in the two years since the breach.' Ofgem said it opened an investigation into the three companies after they self-reported missing their targets.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Three gas companies penalised £8m for failing to attend emergencies on time
Companies maintain the gas network and must attend reports of any suspected leaks within one or two hours GAS BLAST Three gas companies penalised £8m for failing to attend emergencies on time Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THREE gas companies have been penalised £8million for failing to attend emergencies on time, potentially leaving customers at risk. Southern Gas Networks will pay £5.8million, Cadent £1.5million and Scotland Gas Networks £700,000. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Companies maintain the gas network and must attend reports of any suspected leaks within one or two hours, depending on the circumstances. They must arrive in one hour for uncontrolled gas escapes and two hours for controlled leaks in at least 97 per cent of cases. Southern Gas Networks was handed the largest penalty after it missed the 97 per cent target by 5.1 per cent. Cadent was 1.8 per cent adrift, with Scotland Gas Networks 0.4 per cent. Energy watchdog Ofgem looked at their failure to hit targets between 2022 and 2023. The investigation covered Cadent's North London and North West regions, and the other distributors' Scottish and Southern areas. Cathryn Scott, Ofgem's director of market oversight and enforcement, said: 'The potential risk to households and businesses if gas leaks aren't investigated quickly is significant.' She said Ofgem won't hesitate to take action when companies fail to meet their obligations. The companies voluntarily agreed to pay the penalties. The cash will go into Ofgem's redress fund, which provides money for projects supporting vulnerable energy consumers. 1 Three gas companies have been penalised £8million for failing to attend emergencies on time, potentially leaving customers at risk Credit: Getty Residents evacuated after gas leak in Scots town sparks chaos HOME PLUNGE HOUSE sales plunged last month as changes to stamp duty hit first-time buyers, figures show. There were 64,680 sales in April — a third of the number in March. The figure was also well down on April last year, according to HMRC. From April 1, first-time buyers have paid stamp duty on homes above £300,000, down from £425,000. PETROL'S FALL AVERAGE petrol pump prices have fallen to their lowest level for almost four years, but experts predict they will not go lower. They reached 132.3p a litre on Thursday, down from about 135.5p in early April, according to the AA. But it said the impact of low oil prices remains 'disappointing and frustrating' for motorists. GOOD WEEK: DEBBIE Crosbie, boss at Nationwide, after the building society reported a 30 per cent leap in profits to £2.3billion. BAD WEEK: CHRIS Weston, boss at Thames Water, which was fined £122.7million for sewage spills and dividend breaches.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Energy firms pay £8m in penalties after attending some gas leaks late
Three gas distribution companies are paying a combined £8 million in penalties after failing to attend some gas emergency reports on time. Regulator Ofgem said Cadent Gas, Scotland Gas Networks and Southern Gas Networks have voluntarily agreed to pay the funds after missing their targets between 2022 and 2023. Ofgem's rules require companies which manage the gas network to attend reports of suspected gas leaks within one or two hours, depending on the incident, in 97% of cases. Southern Gas Networks will pay £5.8 million, Cadent will pay £1.5 million and Scotland Gas Networks will pay £700,000. The cash will go into Ofgem's voluntary redress fund, which provides money for projects that support vulnerable energy consumers. Cathryn Scott, director of market oversight and enforcement at Ofgem, said: 'The potential risk to households and businesses if gas leaks aren't investigated quickly is significant, so it's right that the companies involved have acknowledged the seriousness of missing these targets. 'We're confident the companies have improved their systems and processes to make sure this doesn't happen again and have demonstrated their commitment to this by meeting their targets in the two years since the breach.' Ofgem said it opened an investigation into the three companies after they self-reported missing their targets. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Mayor
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Energy firms paying out £25 million a year to customers for ‘breaking rules'
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Energy companies in the UK have paid out £152 million over the past six years for failing to meet licence conditions, industry regulator Ofgem has revealed. Averaging £25 million a year since 2018, this money has been used to support vulnerable customers and fund initiatives promoting energy efficiency and net-zero policies. These funds come from payments and fines levied against companies for various infractions, which are then channeled through the Energy Redress Scheme. These infractions include issues such as inaccurate billing, subpar customer service, and manipulation of wholesale energy markets. Since 2018, the scheme has supported 647 projects aimed at assisting vulnerable consumers, offering energy-saving advice, and furthering the development of net-zero strategies. Recent examples of companies contributing to the scheme include Ovo Energy, which paid £2 million for mishandling customer complaints, and Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited, which paid £33.14 million for breaching energy market regulations. More than 700 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union in Glasgow, London and Cardiff will vote in the coming weeks (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Archive) This substantial sum highlights the potential financial consequences for companies that fail to comply with Ofgem's rules. The redress scheme ensures that these funds are used to benefit consumers and promote positive change within the energy sector. Ofgem said more than £55 million had been allocated to fuel voucher projects, providing help to vulnerable customers at risk of disconnection from their energy supply. Cathryn Scott, director for market oversight and enforcement at Ofgem, said: 'Protecting customers and ensuring they're treated fairly is at the heart of Ofgem's mission. 'That's why we make sure that when energy companies break the rules, they make amends by contributing to projects that make our energy system fairer and support those in need. '£152 million is a huge sum of money and has helped thousands of people all over the country struggling with bills, as well as contributing to projects that help people decarbonise and learn more about their energy consumption. 'Ofgem's enforcement function is a powerful weapon in our regulatory arsenal, evidenced by the more than £92 million in compensation to customers, redress payments and fines successfully handed out in 2024 alone. 'The latest milestone of securing £150 million in redress payments for good causes could not have happened without the thorough investigative work of our compliance and enforcement teams or the Energy Saving Trust who ensure the money is targeted to reach those in need.' The Citizens Advice Energyworks project in Brighton and Hove was recently awarded almost £528,000 by the scheme to help all city residents in fuel poverty with free and impartial energy advice. At the end of last year, research showed that more than 16,000 households in Brighton and Hove were living in fuel poverty, Ofgem said.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Energy firms paid out £152 million to vulnerable customers over past six years
Energy firms have paid out £152 million to vulnerable customers over the past six years after failing to meet the conditions of their licences, industry regulator Ofgem has said. Fuel vouchers and advice on how to save energy have been funded by £150 million in payments and fines paid by firms for misdemeanours such as incorrect billing, poor customer service and abuse of wholesale energy markets. The Energy Redress Scheme has been funded by money paid to Ofgem by energy companies which have breached regulations since 2018. Ofgem said the funds, that are then paid out as grants, have helped 647 projects which support vulnerable consumers, provide energy advice, and back the development of net zero policies. Ovo Energy recently paid £2 million to the scheme for failings in how the supplier handled customer complaints. A separate investigation last year into Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited resulted in the firm paying £33.14 million for breaching energy market rules. Ofgem said more than £55 million had been allocated to fuel voucher projects, providing help to vulnerable customers at risk of disconnection from their energy supply. Cathryn Scott, director for market oversight and enforcement at Ofgem, said: 'Protecting customers and ensuring they're treated fairly is at the heart of Ofgem's mission. 'That's why we make sure that when energy companies break the rules, they make amends by contributing to projects that make our energy system fairer and support those in need. '£152 million is a huge sum of money and has helped thousands of people all over the country struggling with bills, as well as contributing to projects that help people decarbonise and learn more about their energy consumption. 'Ofgem's enforcement function is a powerful weapon in our regulatory arsenal, evidenced by the more than £92 million in compensation to customers, redress payments and fines successfully handed out in 2024 alone. 'The latest milestone of securing £150 million in redress payments for good causes could not have happened without the thorough investigative work of our compliance and enforcement teams or the Energy Saving Trust who ensure the money is targeted to reach those in need.' The Citizens Advice Energyworks project in Brighton and Hove was recently awarded almost £528,000 by the scheme to help all city residents in fuel poverty with free and impartial energy advice. At the end of last year, research showed that more than 16,000 households in Brighton and Hove were living in fuel poverty, Ofgem said.
