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New laws preventing gas suppliers cutting off vulnerable people comes into force

Follows 'unusual' sitting which saw legislation fast-tracked in one day

New laws which prohibit the gas provider from disconnecting certain groups of people has now come into effect.

In December, the legislation was pushed through the House of Keys and Legislative Council in a single day – subsequently gaining Royal Assent earlier this week.

The restriction itself prevents Isle of Man Energy cutting off vulnerable customers during the winter months – after the provider began removing some from its register for failure to ‘engage’ over outstanding debt.

The Council of Ministers says the issue of disconnections will remain under review.

In a statement, Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan said Manx residents should be offered ‘no less protection than those residing elsewhere in the British Isles’.

The Gas Regulation (Prevention of Disconnections) Order 2024 is expected to go through the Tynwald affirmative resolution procedure in next month’s sitting, but is effective immediately.

The government has signposted to debt counselling services if residents are struggling to pay bills.

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