OVO has announced a winter assistance program worth £56 million, offering complimentary energy-saving items to customers. The support package includes free electric blankets, smart sockets, and home efficiency kits. Additionally, OVO is providing assistance such as free energy upgrades like loft insulation, new boilers, and heat pumps.
For customers facing financial difficulties, OVO is extending support with measures like reduced direct debits, emergency credit top-ups, and extended repayment plans. Although the support is available year-round, applications for enhanced winter aid will open in October. OVO has already allocated £190 million in support since 2022 and assisted 42,000 customers last year.
CEO of OVO, David Buttress, emphasized the importance of collaboration with charity partners to deliver significant customer support. He highlighted the need for a long-term solution to improve the energy system for all, proposing targeted assistance like a social tariff to prevent anyone from being left behind.
Warm Welcome Campaign Director, David Barclay, expressed the importance of providing support in comfortable and safe environments. The partnership with OVO aims to establish Warm Welcome Spaces nationwide to offer practical assistance during the challenging winter months.
Vikki Brownridge, CEO at StepChange debt charity, commended the ongoing partnership with OVO, which will offer vital support to customers struggling with energy bills during the colder months. The Extra Support program will assist individuals in managing energy arrears and financial difficulties, providing advice and guidance.
As energy bills are expected to increase this winter, with the Ofgem price cap rising to £1,755 a year on October 1, concerns about rising costs are prevalent. Recent polling by OVO reveals that 91% of individuals are apprehensive about their winter bills, with 71% expressing greater concern than last year.