Benefits claimants could have energy debt wiped - who qualifies and how to do it

Nearly 200,000 people on benefits could see their energy debts wiped out under new plans from Ofgem, the energy regulator.

The proposal is part of a wider effort to bring down record household energy debt, which has climbed to £4.4bn after years of high prices.

Ofgem said it intends to “reset and reform” how debt is managed across the sector, warning that rising arrears are putting pressure on both struggling customers and those who face higher bills as a result. New Feature

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What is Ofgem’s new scheme?

The regulator’s debt relief plan, due to launch early next year, would write off up to £500m of unpaid household bills.

It is designed to support the most financially vulnerable people who have fallen behind since the energy crisis b