E.On apologizes for sending socks to customers concerned about the fuel crisis
E.On has apologized for sending socks to customers just days after SSE was called out for telling customers to eat porridge and cuddle their pets as a way to manage soaring energy bills.
E.On apologizes for sending socks to customers
The energy provider took to social media to issue an apology for trivializing the UK fuel crisis.
The tweet said: “If you recently received a pair of socks from us, we would like to say we are incredibly sorry for how we have made some people feel. In light of the seriousness of current challenges that many people are facing, this mailing should have been stopped and we are sorry.“
In a further statement to The Drum, E.On said the 2021 campaign in which it sent socks to 30,000 E.On Next customers, was “in no way designed to detract from the seriousness of the current energy crisis and the work we are doing to lessen its impact on our customers“.
It added that the campaign was “intended as a fun way to encourage people to think about ‘lightening your carbon footprint’ and isn’t meant to be anything to do with the current challenges many people are facing“.
According to October figures, 15m households had their energy bills increase by 12%, while there are some predictions that prices could go up by nearly 50% in 2022.
E.On’s post follows on from fellow provider SSE facing a backlash for an email it sent to its customers offering tips to stay warm, like “sticking to non-alcoholic drinks”, performing household chores, having a cuddle with pets and loved ones, and “encouraging blood flow” by eating ginger – but not chili as “it makes you sweat”.
SSE responded by claiming it was “embarrassed“ and said: “We understand how difficult the situation will be for many of our customers this year.“