VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Energy: Billing

Asked by Samantha NiblettLabourTreasuryTabled Answered 28 January 2026UIN 108066

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of adding a default notice to customers' credit files before the resolution of their payment disputes with energy providers on their credit rating.

Answered by Lucy Rigby

The Government recognises that information relating to arrears, such as a default notice, can have an adverse impact on an individual’s credit file. While the decision to report arrears information about an energy account to a credit reference agency is ultimately a matter for the energy company, energy companies and other organisations that report such information are expected to follow the Principles for the Reporting of Arrears, Arrangements and Defaults at Credit Reference Agencies, available at: https://www.scoronline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Principles-for-the-Reporting-of-Arrears-Arr….

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim