Regulation 5 Amendment of regulation 9 of the Principal Regulations

(1)

Regulation 9 (Priority domestic customers) is amended as follows.

(2)

After paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A)
Where the relevant gas transporter must pay a prescribed sum under paragraph (2), the relevant gas transporter must make subsequent payments of the prescribed sum to the customer for each 24 hour period that the relevant event continues after the expiry of the prescribed period, except in any of the circumstances described in paragraph (3).

(2B)
Where this regulation applies and 250 or more customers’ premises (whether domestic or non-domestic) are affected by the relevant event for longer than 48 hours, the relevant gas transporter must, except in any of the circumstances described in paragraphs (3)(a) to (d), provide each priority domestic customer access to—

(a)
a hot meal in each 24 hour period; and

(b)
hot water for washing in each 24 hour period where, under the Priority Service Register or otherwise notified by the customer, the priority domestic customer is medically dependent on water for bathing or is water dependent for medical reasons,

from 48 hours after the relevant event commenced until it ends.

(2C)
The relevant gas transporter must pay the prescribed sum to a priority domestic customer each time it fails to provide access to—

(a)
a hot meal in accordance with paragraph (2B)(a); or

(b)
hot water for washing in accordance with paragraph (2B)(b).”.

(3)

In paragraph (3)(b)—

(a)

after “that” insert “, in respect of the relevant obligation,”;

(b)

after “alternative heating” for “or” substitute “,”; and

(c)

after “cooking facilities” insert “, access to hot meals or access to hot water”.

(4)

In paragraph (3)(c) after “that” insert “, in respect of the relevant obligation”.

(5)

In paragraph (3)(c)(i) after “for collection” insert “, or access to hot meals or access to hot water was made available (as the case may be)”.

(6)

In paragraph (3)(c)(iii) after “cooking facilities” insert “, or to access hot meals or hot water (as the case may be)”.

(7)

In paragraph 3(d)—

(a)

after “that” insert “, in respect of the relevant obligation,”;

(b)

after “alternative heating” for “or” substitute “,”; and

(c)

after “cooking facilities” insert “, access to hot meals or access to hot water”.

(8)

For paragraph (3)(e) substitute—

“(e)
that the making of an additional payment of the prescribed sum in respect of the continuation of a breach under paragraphs (2), (2A) and (2C) would cause the aggregate of the payments to the customer to exceed the prescribed cap.”.

(9)

In paragraph (4)(b) for “8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.” substitute “10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.”.