Sign up now for free help during a power cut

Do you know a friend or relative who would benefit from extra help during a power cut?

UK Power Networks is encouraging vulnerable people to sign up to its free Priority Services Register, which means they will be offered extra help during a power cut such as:

✔ A welcome pack with useful advice about preparing for a power cut
✔ A priority phone number that you can call 24 hours and updates until your power is back on
✔ Regular text message updates if you text ‘Power’ followed by your postcode to 80876
✔ Home visit from our staff or through our charity partnership with the British Red Cross

There are currently over 500,000 people on the register – a number we think should be higher to accurately reflect all in the community who could benefit.

The register is designed to help people who rely on power for medical needs or who would feel vulnerable for other reasons such as having a young baby or a frail elderly relative in the house. Over recent years, staff – and charity partners including the British Red Cross, Age UK, Citizens Advice, Royal Association for the Deaf and Carers Trust – have helped spread the word.

You can apply at www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority, ring 0800 169 9970, or email psr@ukpowernetworks.co.uk. People can also sign up at a series of local ‘roadshow’ events across London, the East and South East where UK Power Networks delivers electricity to 8.1m homes and businesses.

Before the clocks go back next Sunday (October 25) with onset of longer nights and winter weather, public awareness of the register will also be raised during a 12-hour ‘tweetathon’ tomorrow (October 14). We will publish a live stream of useful information about what we do behind the scenes to keep the lights on, and will answer questions.

Director of Customer Services Matt Rudling said: “I’m sure every one of us knows somebody who could benefit from being on the register, whether it be a friend, relative or neighbour.  While power cuts are very rare, there’s no harm in being prepared. Most people know to keep a torch handy, and an old-fashioned corded phone which will still work without power, so being on the register is another practical way you can get prepared.

“Our campaign stems from our desire to offer the best possible customer service far beyond what’s normally expected, and our team is geared up to help as many people as possible. Being on the register doesn’t mean we can get your power back on quicker, but it does mean we know about your situation and can offer you additional help and support.”

UK Power Networks 13 October 2015