Vulnerable households sent letters about power cuts

Disabled people who need electricity for vital medical equipment told to make own arrangements
Back up power for life-saving equipment is responsibility of customers, says energy company

Published by Professional Social Work magazine, 9 February 2023

Disabled people who depend on electricity for life-saving equipment have been told by an energy company to make their own arrangements in the event of winter power cuts.

The ‘doomsday’ notices sent by UK Power Networks, a provider across London, the south-east and east of England, say that in the event of an emergency power cut vulnerable customers:

  • will have no power for at least three hours at a time, once or twice a day
  • will lose power in an emergency, and won’t be protected from power cuts even when on the Priority Services Register
  • Gas boilers, heat pumps, broadband and home phones will not work during a power cut
  • No generators or back-up power can be supplied to customers ‘due to the national scale of power cuts’

Vulnerable households are expected to make their own arrangements for back-up power. There are also concerns about the safety of social workers and other professionals visiting them during cuts. Councils have already reportedly withdrawn care and other visits to homes where no lighting or heating is on due to the cost of living crisis.

In the event of a power outage, disabled people are being advised to keep mobiles fully charged and have access to torches, warm clothes, blankets, and food that doesn’t need heating.

One resident who depends on power for “moving, sleeping, refrigeration of medicine, and my emergency alarm” described the email as “terrifying”.

“I risk being stuck, unable to move, call for help or have a wee for hours at a time. The thought of trying to do a catheter by torch light fills me with dread.

“The prep needed to ensure the safety of those of us who rely on powered aids runs into hundreds if not thousands of pounds. Many of us are also social care users so it’s about the safety of support teams too.

“The lack of national planning and resources to help disabled people prepare should be a scandal.”

Another resident wrote on Twitter: “I had a letter telling me I should buy a back up battery for my bed, for my stairlift, etc. (I’m) not sure batteries exist for everything that you need.”

The letters and emails started arriving in late January, after the government and Ofgem confirmed that disabled people will need to make their own back up plans in an emergency.

Ofgem has said power cuts are unlikely, but disabled energy customers remain frightened by the warning letters.

Ofgem is working with the government on a winter plan and said customers with medical needs should sign up for their local Priority Services Register. But it is those on the register who are being sent advice to make their own arrangements.

The Disability News Service, which has been trying to clarify contingency plans for vulnerable customers, said: “So far, neither the industry nor ministers have been able to produce any evidence that such plans are in place and have refused to release any details of their contingency plans.”