Debt Relief Scheme: Statutory Consultation

Debt Relief Scheme: Statutory Consultation | Ofgem Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience. BETA This site is currently in BETA. Help us improve by giving us your feedback . Close alert: Debt Relief Scheme: Statutory Consultation Publication type: Consultation Publication date: 6 November 2025 Closed date: 19 December 2025 Status: Closed (awaiting decision) Topic: Consumer protection Print this page Share the page Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn We are seeking views on our proposals to introduce Phase 1 of a Debt Relief Scheme for customers who have got behind with their energy bills. Consultation description This is our statutory consultation on introducing Phase 1 of a Debt Relief Scheme (DRS) for customers who have got behind with their energy bills during the energy crisis and may struggle to repay. We propose that this should be implemented in early 2026, subject to the passage of legislation in Parliament to allow sharing of data on customer eligibility for Means Tested Benefits between energy suppliers and the Department for Work and Pensions. This follows a call for input in March 2024 , a policy consultation in December 2024 , and a policy update working paper in August 2025 . This consultation and associated documents detail our response to stakeholder feedback and our proposed changes to the Gas and Electricity Supply Licenses, and Electricity Distribution and Gas Transportation Licenses to enable Phase 1 of DRS. We are also publishing Delivery Guidance to support suppliers in their obligation to deliver the scheme. We want to achieve good outcomes for customers in energy debt and payment difficulties by: reducing levels of debt providing an opportunity to build relationships between customers and their energy suppliers providing a mechanism by which customer debt accumulated during the gas crisis can be cleared in proportion to the debt levels in suppliers’ customer portfolios reducing, or avoiding an increase in, the future debt allowance, and by doing so reduce the differential between standard credit and direct debit customer rates in the energy price cap Who should respond We are interested in hearing from: suppliers network companies consumer groups and charities How to respond Submit your response to debtconsultations@ofgem.gov.uk by 18 December 2025. Depending on stakeholder feedback, we expect to publish our decision on whether to proceed with the proposed license changes in January 2026. Consultation documents Debt Relief Scheme Statutory Consultation [PDF, 500.73KB] Debt Relief Scheme Impact Assessment [PDF, 347.85KB] Debt Relief Scheme Delivery Guidance [PDF, 577.13KB] Electricity Distribution Licence Modification Notice [PDF, 161.85KB] Electricity Supply Licence Notice [PDF, 159.83KB] Gas Supply Licence Notice [PDF, 168.75KB] Gas Transporter Licence Modification Notice [PDF, 190.19KB] Print this page Share the page Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Close