Government announces Grenfell victims will have energy debts written off

UTILITY companies have collectively agreed to write off outstanding bills for victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, the government announced today.

Energy, water and telecoms firms have agreed to a "comprehensive package of support" which includes wiping the debts of all those affected by the tragedy.

A notice from the government today announced that power companies supplying energy to Grenfell Tower residents have agreed to provide "reassurance and support", on top of wiping all debts, preserving prepayment and credit balances, and not charging people for energy for the period after the fire.

The companies will also not put former residents who have been resettled on a more expensive tariff, and will put on hold any direct debit payments for Grenfell Tower residents.

Thames Water has confirmed that all accounts held by residents of Grenfell Tower have been frozen, and for people who lived in the tower, all outstanding debts have been written off.

For those who were evacuated from neighbouring properties, Thames Water said it will waive charges so those people will not be charged for a service they have not received.

Telecoms firms have also been providing assistance to those affected by providing free chargers, handsets and pre-loaded SIM cards to victims, and are working to reconnect broadband customers quickly as they are rehoused.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: “Businesses should play an active role in society and I am pleased that all the energy companies supplying Grenfell Tower have come together and agreed to a set of principles in support of families who have already lost so much.”

The announcement comes on top of the £5 million fund previously announced by the Prime Minister to pay for emergency supplies, food, clothes and other costs.

Yesterday it was revealed that some of the people made homeless by the devastating fire that ripped through Grenfell Tower last week are set to move into 68 flats in Kensington.

Some of the residents forced to leave their homes will be permanently housed in Kensington High Street in a £2billion development – after they were bought in a deal worth just £10million.

Hundreds of people were left with nowhere to live after the blaze destroyed their West London tower block – leaving 79 people missing and presumed dead.

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