Latest news with #Utilita
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Britain's most annoying kitchen habits revealed - read the full list
A study of 2,000 Brits has exposed the worst kitchen habits that annoy Brits the most, from not cleaning up spills to leaving dirty dishes in the sink, how many are you guilty of? The most vexing kitchen habits of Brits have been laid bare, with neglecting to clean up spills and leaving dirty dishes in the sink being the top annoyances. A study involving 2,000 adults revealed that other major culinary irritations include keeping food on a continuous boil causing it to splatter everywhere, and stuffing rubbish into already full bins. Four in ten of those who have kitchen bugbears claimed they can't stand to have another person in the kitchen with them and a third who share cooking duties have a row with someone at least once weekly because they've committed what the other considers a culinary 'ick'. In an attempt to dodge confrontation, many often refrain from discussing these 'culinary crimes', choosing instead to clean up themselves or subtly set an example. However, for some, the frustration is too much to bear, with four in ten preferring to cook solo to maintain total control and avoid criticism if they happen to do something others find annoying. Ella Moorey, sustainability lead at Utilita, which commissioned the research as part of its High Five energy-saving tips for summer, commented: "Cooking together can be a joy or a nightmare, depending on where you stand on these divisive kitchen issues. "Culinary compatibility is crucial for those who want to enjoy cooking together – as these common bugbears can cause a surprising amount of drama. "Correcting these can not only save on friction, but also energy – as simmering rather than boiling sauces, for example, can save you £36 over a year." The study, conducted via OnePoll, also disclosed that 28 percent of those who cook rarely or never consider the amount of energy they're consuming – despite rating themselves an average of six out of 10 for energy efficiency. However, a whopping 90 percent are willing to explore ways to cut down on their energy consumption. Speaking on behalf of Utilita, which provides a Power Price List detailing the running costs of common household appliances, Ella commented: "It's great that so many are open to further reducing their energy usage – and bills – in the kitchen. "Some simple tricks could really help in this department and are unlikely to cause you any hassle – the biggest saver being switching the oven for an air fryer, which costs a third of the price to run." TOP 30 KITCHEN BUGBEARS: Not cleaning up spills immediately Leaving dirty dishes in the sink Not wiping down surfaces after use Forcing rubbish into an overflowing bin rather than emptying it Leaving the fridge door open Not washing up properly so there is still food on things on the drying rack Not clearing up as you go Not throwing away food in the fridge as soon as it's gone bad Leaving used teabags on the side of the sink Leaving food out on the side to go off Leaving pans to soak for days Cleaning the kitchen with a dirty sponge or cloth Using a wet tea towel to dry things Using too many pans or utensils unnecessarily Putting leftovers in the fridge uncovered Not cleaning the microwave after use Leaving the washing up sponge soaking wet after use Using metal utensils on non-stick surfaces Leaving the toaster full of crumbs Cooking something on too high a temperature so it smokes Not drying dishes properly before putting them away Using the same chopping board for everything Having food on a constant boil so it spits Stacking the dishwasher badly Using the same knife for everything Using every inch of counter space Using incorrect utensils (e.g. stirring something with a knife, using the wrong knife to cut something) Running the dishwasher when it's only half loaded Not following a recipe properly Rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher and wasting water
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Major UK energy provider ordered to pay £150 compensation to thousands of customers
A UK energy firm will pay thousands of customers £150 in compensation after it failed to pass on a mandatory discount. Utilita must pay a total of £277,000 back to billpayers after it did not make Warm Home Discount payments on time, the regulator Ofgem said. The payments should have been made between 2023 and 2024, however, 4,000 customers did not receive them because of an 'internal error in processing payments'. Utilita paid £30,000 in compensation to customers shortly after the error was first identified. However, it has agreed with Ofgem to pay a further £247,000 to affected customers. Formed in 2003, Utilita has around 800,000 customers in the UK and it specialises in Pay As You Go (PAYG) smart energy meters. The firm started installing smart prepayment meters in 2008, with 90 per cent of its customers now using one. The Warm Home Discount scheme is administered by Ofgem on behalf of the government and gives people on low incomes an automatic payment of £150 each year, which is applied by their supplier. There are two ways to qualify. The first is for the bill payer to be in receipt of the Guarantee Element of Pension Credit. Otherwise, they must receive a qualifying benefit (which includes Universal Credit) alongside having 'high energy costs,' which is assessed by the government. Ofgem's latest supplier performance report shines a light on Warm Home Discount non-compliance, revealing that seven other suppliers also failed to pass them on in 2023 and 2024. The combined compensation payments from these companies was £484,960. This figure includes compensation for affected customers as well as payments to Ofgem's voluntary redress fund or to fuel poverty charities. These were: Rebel Energy (£11,583.14), Good Energy (£3,394.34) Foxglove Energy (£28,805.93), Green Energy (UK) (£18,556.97), Tomato Energy (£40,183.38), Utility Warehouse (£380,928.33) and Tru Energy (£1,508.17). Ofgem has confirmed that these payments have already been made. Cathryn Scott, Regulatory Director of Market Oversight and Enforcement at Ofgem, said: 'The Warm Home Discount is a lifeline for vulnerable energy consumers on low incomes. Even a short delay in making these payments can cause harm to vulnerable customers, so it's vital that suppliers make these payments on time and without hassle. 'Unfortunately, on this occasion, Utilita fell short of our standards by failing to pay some of their customers in a timely manner. Utilita has conducted an audit of their Warm Home Discount processes to make sure this doesn't happen again. 'It's our duty to protect consumers. And today's outcome, as well as the findings set out in our Supplier Performance Report, serve as a reminder to all suppliers that failures to make scheme payments on time are unacceptable, and that we can and will take enforcement action to put things right for customers.'
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
4,000 customers to get compensation for unpaid Warm Home Discounts
Utilita will pay £277,000 in compensation to 4,000 customers for failing to make mandatory Warm Home Discount payments on time between 2023 and 2024. The delay was attributed to an internal error in processing payments. Utilita has already paid £30,000 and agreed to pay an additional £247,000. The Warm Home Discount scheme, administered by Ofgem, provides an automatic £150 payment annually to low-income individuals, applied by their energy supplier. Ofgem's latest report showed that seven other suppliers also failed to pass on these discounts in 2023 and 2024, leading to combined compensation payments of £484,960. Ofgem said that timely payments are crucial for vulnerable customers and stated that failures to make scheme payments on time are unacceptable.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Major UK energy company to give thousands of customers £150 compensation for payment error
A UK energy firm will pay thousands of customers £150 in compensation after it failed to pass on a mandatory discount. Utilita must pay a total of £277,000 back to billpayers after it did not make Warm Home Discount payments on time, the regulator Ofgem said. The payments should have been made between 2023 and 2024, however, 4,000 customers did not receive them because of an 'internal error in processing payments'. Utilita paid £30,000 in compensation to customers shortly after the error was first identified. However, it has agreed with Ofgem to pay a further £247,000 to affected customers. Formed in 2003, Utilita has around 800,000 customers in the UK and it specialises in Pay As You Go (PAYG) smart energy meters. The firm started installing smart prepayment meters in 2008, with 90 per cent of its customers now using one. The Warm Home Discount scheme is administered by Ofgem on behalf of the government and gives people on low incomes an automatic payment of £150 each year, which is applied by their supplier. Ofgem's latest supplier performance report shines a light on Warm Home Discount non-compliance, revealing that seven other suppliers also failed to pass them on in 2023 and 2024. The combined compensation payments from these companies was £484,960. This figure includes compensation for affected customers as well as payments to Ofgem's voluntary redress fund or to fuel poverty charities. These were: Rebel Energy (£11,583.14), Good Energy (£3,394.34) Foxglove Energy (£28,805.93), Green Energy (UK) (£18,556.97), Tomato Energy (£40,183.38), Utility Warehouse (£380,928.33) and Tru Energy (£1,508.17). Ofgem has confirmed that these payments have already been made. Cathryn Scott, Regulatory Director of Market Oversight and Enforcement at Ofgem, said: 'The Warm Home Discount is a lifeline for vulnerable energy consumers on low incomes. Even a short delay in making these payments can cause harm to vulnerable customers, so it's vital that suppliers make these payments on time and without hassle. 'Unfortunately, on this occasion, Utilita fell short of our standards by failing to pay some of their customers in a timely manner. Utilita has conducted an audit of their Warm Home Discount processes to make sure this doesn't happen again. 'It's our duty to protect consumers. And today's outcome, as well as the findings set out in our Supplier Performance Report, serve as a reminder to all suppliers that failures to make scheme payments on time are unacceptable, and that we can and will take enforcement action to put things right for customers.'
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Ofgem fines Utilita over Warm Home Discount payment delays
The regulator found Utilita – which supplies 800,000 customers – failed to pass on the mandatory discount to more than 4,000 customers over 2023 to 2024 because of an internal error in processing payments. The Warm Home Discount scheme – which is administered by Ofgem on behalf of the Government – helps eligible energy consumers on low incomes by offering an automatic payment of £150 each year. ⚠️@utilitaenergy missed the 31.03.24 deadline to make Warm Home Discount payment by 12 days due to internal error. Utilita self-reported this to us last year Affected customers have been contacted, don't need to do anything and will be auto-compensated ➡️ — Ofgem (@ofgem) June 17, 2025 Ofgem said Utilita had agreed to pay £247,000 of compensation to those affected, who will receive further payments of up to £150 each. This is in addition to £30,000 of compensation Utilita paid to affected customers shortly after the error was identified. Cathryn Scott, regulatory director of market oversight and enforcement at Ofgem, says: 'The Warm Home Discount is a lifeline for vulnerable energy consumers on low incomes. Even a short delay in making these payments can cause harm to vulnerable customers, so it's vital that suppliers make these payments on time and without hassle. 'Unfortunately, on this occasion, Utilita fell short of our standards by failing to pay some of their customers in a timely manner. Utilita has conducted an audit of their Warm Home Discount processes to make sure this doesn't happen again. 'It's our duty to protect consumers. Today's outcome, as well as the findings set out in our Supplier Performance Report, serve as a reminder to all suppliers that failures to make scheme payments on time are unacceptable, and that we can and will take enforcement action to put things right for customers.' Recommended reading: A Utilita spokesman said: 'Due to an administrative oversight, we missed the March 31 deadline to process the Warm Home Discount payment for a small cohort of customers. "All customers received their payment within 12 days. 'We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. We promptly reported our mistake to Ofgem and paid the impacted customers a goodwill gesture.'
