Voice of the Consumer
Summary
There is currently a gap in the understanding of the effectiveness of the retail systems and processes in delivering positive outcomes for Consumers. While Consumer surveys are conducted on certain areas to some aspects of Consumer satisfaction, it may be necessary to expand the evaluation methods used by the Code Manager to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
25/02/2026 - an Issue Closure Report has been published and this Issue moved to resolved.
Impacts Overview
Impacted Consumers
Electricity
Gas
Priority and rationale
Standard
Priority last updated on 29 May 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
RECCo’s mission is to facilitate the efficient and effective running of the retail energy market, including its systems and processes through promoting innovation, competition, and delivering positive Consumer outcomes. However, the Code Manager receives limited feedback directly from Consumers to determine if this mission is being fulfilled.
No documents available.
Change Plan
Working Group 1
Completed
Start:
Due:
Completion:
12 Dec 2024Working Group 2
Completed
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10 Feb 2025Working Group 3
Completed
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Completion:
18 Mar 2025Working Group 4
Completed
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Completion:
30 Apr 2025Extension to Plan approved by Change Panel
Completed
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Completion:
20 May 2025Working Group 5
Completed
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12 Jun 2025Working Group 6
Completed
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28 Jul 2025Original submission
Change details
Nathan Chaplow - Code Administrator
25 Jul 2024
Change details
Voice of the Consumer proposal
There is currently a gap in our understanding of the effectiveness of the retail systems and processes in delivering positive outcomes for customers. While we do conduct customer surveys on certain areas and assess some aspects of customer satisfaction, it may be necessary to expand our evaluation methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. Although consumer groups have been helpful, their outputs may not be directly linked to the REC's objectives. Therefore, it may be necessary to explore additional evaluation methods to gain a more accurate understanding of the situation. It should not be assumed that RECCo/REC Code Manager is solely responsible for improving outcomes. Some issues may need to be addressed by other Parties, and to enable this, Party-level information is essential. An iterative approach is essential to developing the voice of the consumer, which can create outputs that support business cases for change, track performance over time, and be associated with the wider purposes of REC, such as enhancing trust in retail markets. This approach can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the retail systems and processes in delivering positive outcomes for customers and help to identify areas that require improvement. Additionally, it may be necessary to segment the output to gain a more comprehensive understanding of key groups, such as microbusiness, domestic, and vulnerable customers, and ensure that any issues are identified and addressed promptly.
The limited knowledge about the effectiveness of the retail systems and processes in delivering positive outcomes for customers may have several impacts. For instance, it may result in a lack of insight into the areas that require improvement, which could lead to customer dissatisfaction and a decline in sales. Additionally, it may hinder the REC's ability to make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to enhance customer experience and satisfaction. Therefore, it is crucial to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issue to mitigate any potential negative impacts. We must not solely focus on aggregate outcomes; processes may function effectively across the market but not for specific key groups, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach.
To address the issue of limited knowledge about the effectiveness of the retail systems and processes in delivering positive outcomes for customers, different approaches could be considered. One approach would be to replace the SMIS with a broader metering survey and a switching survey, which would provide a more comprehensive evaluation of customer satisfaction and insights into the effectiveness of the current systems and processes. Another approach would be to centralize the survey and have RECCo drive this directly as a collective body, ensuring that the survey is conducted consistently and that the results are aligned with the REC's objectives. Addressing any issues with the survey questions could help to ensure its effectiveness in identifying areas that require improvement and informing the development of effective strategies to enhance customer experience. Ultimately, the most effective solution would depend on the specific needs and objectives of the REC, and careful evaluation of each approach may be necessary to determine the best course of action
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Impacts
Electricity, Gas
Trust and confidence
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Priority & timing
No
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Considering the importance of the issue at hand, it would be advisable to commence work on the solution as soon as possible. While there is no immediate urgency, it is recommended that we prioritize this matter and begin the development process in a timely manner.
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