Energy Debt & Collaboration in Action

MALG National Members Meeting, Energy Debt & Collaboration in Action

A huge thank you to the MALG team for arranging a great National Members Meeting on Thursday 15 May 2025 at the London Transport Museum, and to @CIVEA member @CDER Group who sponsored it. The discussions explored some of the most pressing issues facing households in energy debt and the power of cross-sector collaboration to drive real change.

Thank you @Bob Winnington (CEO, MALG) for kicking off the day with a warm welcome and @Carole Kenney (CDER Group) for setting the tone for an insightful and engaging day.

The findings of the critical report on households in energy debt by @Craig Simmons (Clear Consultancy & MALG Board Member) and @Francis McGee (GAIN), commissioned by @Tanya Spence (Impact on Urban Health) Supporting households in energy debt - Impact on Urban Health and the ‘systems of systems’ approach with a regulatory update and insight provided by @Jemma Baker (Ofgem) and what work Ofgem is planning in conjunction with the industry.

The “Power of Partnerships” panel highlighted how collaboration can create long-term impact, and the insights and case studies from @Miranda Hunt (StepChange) and @Laura Bradley (OVO Energy) really brought home the positive support that can help vulnerable customers by debt advice organisations and industry collaborating.

It is encouraging to learn how civil enforcement practices are keeping pace and in some ways ahead of the utilities sector in supporting vulnerable people and helping to resolve debt.

Congratulations to the PayPlan team @Emma Gibbons for achieving the PartnerPlus award from the Illegal Money Lending Team and thank you @Cath Wohlers (Illegal Money Lending Team) for another insightful update on your work and the importance of working together to crack down on illegal money lenders.

CIVEA members continue to support the Illegal Money Lending Team. Enforcement agents have unique insight into our communities and through a training partnership learn how to spot and report evidence of loan sharking.

The closing key note from @Sam Smethers (Surviving Economic Abuse) was clear on the importance on how to recognise and respond to economic and financial abuse and highlighted how the money advice sector and industry can work together to support the victim survivors of this crime.

Special thanks to Bob Winnington and @Heidi Oliver and the whole MALG team for leading another fantastic event, bringing together members from across sectors to share ideas, insights and inspiration, and we look forward to the next one.

Let’s keep the conversation going about tackling debt, protecting vulnerable consumers, and building better systems through partnership.

#MALG #EnergyDebt #ConsumerVulnerability #PublicAffairs #Collaboration #PartnershipWorking #FinancialInclusion #DebtAdvice #EconomicAbuse #SocialImpact #Utilities #Policy #StakeholderEngagement