That's fine and everything, but someone has to pay the bill. If not through bills, then through tax

Maybe someone should start a campaign that encourages not paying for shopping at the supermarket.  Or as some people might call it, 'stealing'.   

While I do have sympathy with some people who will really struggle, anyone who chooses not to pay for energy in the way this campaign advises will end up worse off. 

.  

It won't end well..

You'll end up with:

• Non Direct Debit fees of £10 per fuel per month (£240 per year)
• Non payment fees plus Interest
• Being cut off from supply
• Prison if found interfering with a cut off meter
• Debt recovery, CCJ and a Bailiffs visit

If you are a home owner, forget your next mortgage, if you are renting you won't get through the Credit check and refusing to pay would probably get you evicted. Rejected for Credit Cards, Car Finance or any other kind of Credit.

All in all, probably not a smart idea. 😂

Fully agree with all the points above, and there will probably be many households across the UK that genuinely won't be able to afford their power this winter, but I'm sure there'll be some chancers that'll jump on the bandwagon.

@diverted-energy, thanks for the feedback above. I remember when we moved into our property, we had issues transferring/switching to a new provider and when I was speaking to the provider I was concerned that we would be cut off because of all the dramas and delays, and the call centre agent (from OVO Energy) said that you can't get cut off from electricity in the UK due to it being a human rights violation. Not sure if there's any truth to that.

Posted by: @editor

@diverted-energy, thanks for the feedback above. I remember when we moved into our property, we had issues transferring/switching to a new provider and when I was speaking to the provider I was concerned that we would be cut off because of all the dramas and delays, and the call centre agent (from OVO Energy) said that you can't get cut off from electricity in the UK due to it being a human rights violation. Not sure if there's any truth to that.

I don't think you can be cut off for owing money but you can get put on a prepayment meter.  They have some emergency credit provision but I think when that is used up then unless you top up then you'll have no power.  I think there will be a few in that situation this winter.

@editor - the only Human Right I am aware of is water. While working within the Water industry, the company used to obtain a court order to fit a 'trickler' into the supply pipe. This was to restrict water flow to around quarter of a litre per minute due to Human Right to access drinking Water.

In regards to HR's, I can only find information as to the time of year when disconnection occurs in that you are not left during winter without Energy.

The Labour party did announce in 2019 that Electricity and Heating would become a Human Right if they were voted into power, however, we know that sad saga and they never became a government. Did I also not hear that the UK is pulling out of the HRA due to Rwanda?

I am not a Human Rights Lawyer and don't intend to use this route as my Energy bill for the next 12 months for both Gas and Electric is less than £250 in total so not fully briefed. However, I would imagine if you are not classed as 'in poverty' and simply withholding payment, like Poll Tax the Law is not on your side. I am sure if this was the case, we'd be more than aware from the media by now.

I cannot find anything on HRA and Energy and if anyone knows any different, I'd appreciate a link and to learn.

There is this on CAB Website: 

Check if your supplier is allowed to disconnect you

If you've reached State Pension age, your supplier can't disconnect you between 1 October and 31 March if either:

• you live alone

• you only live with other people who have reached State Pension age or children under 18 years old

You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.

In some situations your supplier must offer you support before they disconnect you. For example they might help you set up a payment plan. This applies between 1 October and 31 March each year if someone you live with:

• has reached State Pension age

• is disabled

• has a long-term physical or mental health condition - for example, diabetes or depression

If this applies to you, contact your supplier to let them know.

Most suppliers have signed up to an agreement called the 'Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment'. You can check if your supplier has signed up to the commitment by contacting them or checking their website.

If your supplier has signed up to the commitment, they won't disconnect you between 1 October and 31 March if you live with children under 16.

They also won’t disconnect you at any time of year if you:

• are disabled

• have long-term health problems

• have severe financial problems

• have children under 6 years old living at home

If your supplier hasn't signed up to the commitment, they should take your situation into account, but they’re not obliged to.

If you’ve been threatened with being disconnected but think you shouldn’t be, contact your supplier and let them know. They should visit your home to check on your situation before they do anything. You can make a complaint if they decide to go ahead and disconnect you.

The disconnection process

If you don’t come to an agreement with your supplier to pay off your debt, they can apply to a court for a warrant to enter your home to disconnect your supply. Your supplier must send a notice telling you they’re applying to the court.

Before the hearing takes place, contact your supplier and try and come to an agreement to pay off your debt.

If you haven’t contacted your supplier, there’ll be a court hearing which you should attend. You can still come to an arrangement with your supplier to pay off your debt at this stage. You can take along a friend for support.

If the court grants a warrant, your supplier will be able to disconnect your supply. They must give you 7 days notice in writing before they do. In practice, it’s rare for suppliers to disconnect customers. They’re more likely to fit a prepayment meter in your home.

Your supplier won’t need a warrant to disconnect a meter on the outside of your property (as the warrant is to enter your property), but most suppliers will still get one.

@editor I have tried to message you but gather I am I new, currently this is not allowed.

If you can drop me a message. I set up a Government Petition in relation to the next "Windfall" and using funds to support those that "want/need Solar to reduce crippling bills, but cannot afford the upfront costs".

I'd like to put details here but don't want to offend any site rules in doing so.

Maybe it could be an article?