Bill to stop gas customers getting cut off to be sent for Royal Assent

Legislative Council unanimously supports new legislation

Members of the Legislative Council have unanimously voted to support a bill which is designed to stop vulnerable customers having their gas supply disconnected.

The House of Keys approved the Gas Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2023 earlier today (19 December).

It means the legislation has passed through both branches in just one day.

The bill was introduced after Isle of Man Energy threatened to cut the gas supply to 90 households who were in debt.

It will give the Council of Ministers the power to specify circumstances where gas customers cannot be disconnected for non-payment.

This is done through making an Order which would then need Tynwald approval.

MLC Bill Henderson, who moved the Bill in LegCo, explained who could be protected by such an Order:

A public gas supplier who contravenes an Order could be fined up to £5,000.

The bill will now be sent to the UK to receive Royal Assent.

MLCs were told government has been in communication with the UK’s Ministry of Justice and that assent could be given within a month.