Accidental, Unavoidable Dividends (Energy Debt Write-offs)

The rising price of gas and electricity has caused some of the biggest issues seen by debt advisers over the last few years, with people experiencing increasing levels of unmanageable debt. Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, has proposed a number of interventions to try and address the issue - including a scheme to write off up to £1 billion of unpaid energy bills.But what do debt advisers really think of these ideas? Have Ofgem been talking to the right people? And just how much universal credit does someone receive anyway?We talk to Amy Taylor, chair of the Greater Manchester Money Advice Group, who responded to Ofgem's consultation, about whether the proposals go far enough, and the role of debt write-offs more generally in a debt adviser's toolkit.Useful links:Ofgem: A 'reset' and 'reform' for people in energy debtIMA response to the consultationGMMAG response to the consultationIMA Money Advice Awards 2025Become a member of the IMA