A MAJOR British energy supplier has been forced to apologise for publishing “offensive” advice to struggling customers.
Ovo Energy last week emailed customers a list of 10 “simple and cost-effective ways to keep warm this winter”, the Financial Times reported.
This included “have a cuddle with your pets” to stay warm and save on heating bills, “challenging the kids to a hula hoop competition”, “doing star jumps”, and “cleaning the house”.
Ovo also advised customers to "keep your oven open after you've finished cooking", adding: "just be careful if there are pets or small children around".
“have a cuddle with your pets” pic.twitter.com/5fsbDTU5sA
— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) January 10, 2022
It came as the UK’s cost-of-living crisis is expected to worsen.
READ MORE: SNP issue demands to ease cost of living crisis as PM 'sleepwalking into catastrophe'
According to some predictions, energy bills could rise by more than 50% in April for millions of households that are on a standard tariff.
Bristol North West MP and chairman of the Business Select Committee Darren Jones branded Ovo Energy’s tips “offensive” and called on the company to apologise.
In a subsequent tweet, he wrote: “I’m not sure who signed off a marketing campaign telling people to wear a jumper and eat porridge instead of turning on the heating if you can’t afford it.”
Ovo has since apologised for the tips, telling the Financial Times: “We understand how difficult the situation will be for many of our customers this year.
“We are working hard to find meaningful solutions as we approach this energy crisis, and we recognise that the content of this blog was poorly judged and unhelpful. We are embarrassed and sincerely apologise.”
In April, the price cap, which limits the amounts energy suppliers can charge, will rise.
It is already at a record £1277, but analysts at Investec think it could go up to £1995.
The increases are due to a major spike in global gas prices, which have been pushed up by high demand around the world.
Trade body Energy UK’s chief executive, Emma Pinchbeck, said last month that the Government could cut each household bill by £90 by slashing taxes or VAT.
Meanwhile, bills could be cut by a further £190 by bringing forward proposals on removing policy costs.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel