| 8:30 |
Registration & refreshments
|
| 9:15 |
Chairman's opening remarks
Pula Houghton, Head of Economic Policy, Which?
|
| 9:20 |
Keynote address
Anna Walker is leading the government's independent review into charging and metering for water and sewerage services. Anna is a member of the new National Consumer Council which brings together the functions of the National Consumer Council, energywatch and postwatch.
|
| 9:45 |
Industry body updates
Industry overviews and comparison: what are the energy and water industry programmes on debt reduction? Are we holding our own in the downturn?
Frances Williamson, Head of Policy & External Relations, Energy Retail Association
|
| 10:25 |
Q&A
|
| 10:35 |
Refreshments & networking
|
| 11:00 |
Collections in a recession
Customers are tightening their belts as the recession bites. How and where are utility customers being affected? How can utilities keep their debt levels low?
Deborah Shields, Information & Policy Officer, Money Advice Trust
|
| 12:00 |
Q&A
|
| 12:10 |
Hot Spot: 60 second top tips
|
| 12:20 |
Networking lunch
|
| 13:25 |
Introduction to the afternoon session chaired by
Christine McGourty, Director of External Affairs, Energy UK
|
| 13:30 |
Panel session
Setting the framework: industry regulators and customer watchdogs talk about progress on customer payments and what tools utilities can employ to improve collection rates. How is the regulator’s view developing? What are the watchdogs’ view of current measures – what measures are fair and appropriate? Including government’s view of direct pay schemes: what is their future?
Jude Cummins, Head of Consumer and Social Affairs , OFGEM
Audrey Gallacher, Head of Company Performance and Consumer Experience, Consumer Focus
|
| 15:00 |
Refreshments & networking
|
| 15:30 |
The payment process: current potential and future change
Direct debit - breaking through the glass ceiling - an insight into consumer usage and attitudes to direct debit from Bacs. Cheque guarantee cards will disappear this year. Cheques themselves may follow soon. Is the future of payment all-electronic, or are other methods coming down the line? How will that affect vulnerable customers? The Payments Council, a voluntary membership organisation that sets strategy for UK payments, looks to the future.
Paul Smee, Chief Executive , Payments Council
|
| 16:30 |
Q&A
|
| 16:40 |
Chairman's closing remarks
|
| 16:55 |
Close of conference
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