Scope and UK Power Networks Host Disability Summit in London

The energy and utilities sector touches every home, every day. Whether it’s heating, lighting, or charging mobility equipment, reliable access to utilities is not a luxury, it’s essential for daily living. But for millions of disabled people across the UK, the system doesn’t always work as it should.

Scope and UK Power Networks hosted this summit with a clear goal: to improve access, fairness, and inclusion across utilities services. The event brought together a mix of voices, industry leaders, government officials, advocacy groups, and people with lived experience, all working towards the same outcome: a more inclusive utilities sector where no one is left behind.

At the event, there were numerous panels, amongst those, NEA, Northumbrian Water, Community Energy Pathways, Lightning Reach and Scope themselves discussing how pathways of support could be improved. There was another panel on fixing the gaps by taking realistic action in which Ofgem, Energy UK, Energy Systems Catapult and ourselves contributed to. 

It was about asking tough questions:

• Why do accessibility barriers still exist in 2025?
• What practical steps can we take to remove them?
• And how can energy providers make inclusion a core part of how they operate, not just a line in a corporate plan?

The atmosphere was both hopeful and urgent. Everyone in the room understood that the stakes are high, especially as the UK pushes forward with its net-zero goals and the ongoing energy affordability crisis.

One of the most powerful moments of the day came when Scope shared its research. On average, disabled households face extra costs of around £975 a month just to achieve the same standard of living as non-disabled households.

That figure landed heavily. It’s not just a number, it’s heating that gets turned down in winter, mobility aids that take longer to replace, or the tough choice between paying for food or electricity.

Disabled customers also face greater risks when services fail. Power cuts can have far-reaching consequences if someone relies on medical equipment, stairlifts, or temperature-controlled medication. And when information isn’t accessible, whether it’s on a website, a helpline menu, or in a government form, people are effectively locked out of help they’re entitled to.

These are the realities that drive our work at Consumer Rights CIC. We know that inclusion isn’t a “nice-to-have”, it’s the difference between independence and isolation.

The summit revolved around a powerful three-word motto: Collaborate. Challenge. Change.

It captured everything the day stood for, not just conversation, but action.

The event created a space where organisations could share what’s working and what isn’t. UK Power Networks, for example, showcased how it’s embedding inclusion across its operations. Its annual review outlines a growing commitment to “understanding and addressing all types of vulnerability,” and its partnership with Scope includes workforce training based on the social model of disability, a framework that shifts focus from the individual’s limitations to the barriers society creates.

Collaboration also meant cross-sector learning. Representatives from housing, energy, water, and digital accessibility sectors compared notes, revealing how interconnected these challenges really are.

Participants didn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. Many disabled people still find it difficult to access grants like ECO4 and GBIS, despite being among those who would benefit most. The eligibility process can be confusing, the forms inaccessible, and the communication inconsistent.

We raised this directly in our contribution, calling for clearer communication, more inclusive digital design, and better outreach through trusted local partners. It’s not enough to have funding available if the people who need it most can’t apply.

The conversations were grounded in practical outcomes. Workshop sessions focused on accessible communication, inclusive service design, and registering disabled customers for priority support schemes.

One breakout group discussed how to improve awareness of the Priority Services Register (PSR), a free service that ensures disabled and medically dependent customers receive tailored help during power cuts or emergencies. Another explored how to redesign application processes so they’re usable by everyone, regardless of disability, literacy level, or language background.

The message was clear: change starts with action, and it starts now.

Improving accessibility isn’t just a moral duty, it’s a legal and operational one. The Equality Act 2010 sets clear expectations for reasonable adjustments, but in practice, implementation across energy schemes remains patchy.

The summit reinforced something we’ve been saying for a long time: accessibility isn’t a special feature. It’s a basic requirement.

Disabled people shouldn’t have to fight for adjustments or rely on luck to find an understanding advisor. Accessibility should be built in from the start, not bolted on after complaints arise.

Leaving the summit, one thing was clear: change is happening, but it needs to accelerate.

The discussions reminded everyone that accessibility is a shared responsibility. Energy companies, government departments, local authorities, and advocacy groups all have a role to play.

For us at Consumer Rights CIC, our next steps are already in motion. We’re continuing to work with partners to:

• Simplify information about ECO4 and GBIS for disabled consumers.
• Improve awareness of available funding and support.
• Advocate for accessibility standards within retrofit and insulation schemes.
• Provide practical feedback from lived experience to policymakers and providers.

Real progress will come when the system works seamlessly for everyone, not just the majority.

As an independent organisation, we exist to make consumer protection more human, more transparent, and more inclusive.

Our presence at the summit gave us a platform to raise key concerns about accessibility gaps within ECO4 and GBIS, particularly for disabled consumers who face overlapping challenges, such as digital exclusion, mobility barriers, or difficulties navigating the application process.

We also highlighted how Consumer Rights support and complaint-handling mechanisms can help people when things go wrong, ensuring that vulnerable customers are not left without recourse or redress.

Ultimately, we want to see a world where everyone, regardless of disability or circumstance, can benefit equally from the UK’s energy efficiency programmes.

The summit closed with a shared commitment: to keep collaborating, keep challenging, and keep driving change.

No single organisation can fix the accessibility gap in utilities. But together, progress is inevitable.

For the millions of disabled people across the UK who depend on reliable, affordable, and accessible utilities, this summit marked a turning point. It signalled that the industry is finally listening, and acting.

We left the event with optimism, and with a renewed sense of purpose:
to make sure every policy, every scheme, and every service puts accessibility, inclusion, and fairness at its heart.

Because real equality isn’t about doing more for some, it’s about making sure everyone can get what they need, when they need it, without barriers in the way.

Consumer Rights CIC is proud to have taken part in this important conversation, and we look forward to working alongside Scope, UK Power Networks, and others to make these commitments real, in every home, for every customer.

If you’d like to learn more about accessibility in energy schemes, or if you’ve experienced barriers applying for ECO4 or GBIS, get in touch with us. Your voice helps shape the change we all want to see.

Useful Resources:

• Scope
• UK Power Networks
• The Equality Act 2010

Cost of Living Support Available:

• Household Support Fund (England)
• Cost of Living Payments
• Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
• Mortgage Guarantee Scheme
• Council Tax Reduction

ECO4 Support Available:

• Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Energy Company Obligation
• Ofgem Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Guidance: Delivery V1.1
• Ofgem Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
• UK Government, Help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation
• Which? Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

Other Support Available:

• Household Support Fund
• Cold Weather Payment
• Cost of Living
• Fuel Vouchers