Energywatch believes all disconnections could be avoided

In the space of three months, the total of those being cut off because of debt was down from 277 to just 35.

The reduction followed a vigorous campaign against the use of disconnections.

Energywatch Scotland has now called for gas and electricity companies to abandon altogether this sanction for customers who fail to pay their bills.

The fall in disconnections is a complete reverse of the trend from last year, when there was a 20-fold increase.

That led Energywatch Scotland and political representatives of all parties to call for a rethink by gas and electricity suppliers.

No other industry responsible for delivering basic essential services is allowed to withdraw the provision of that service John Hanlon Energywatch Scotland

They said power companies should look at alternative ways of recovering money owed to them.

John Hanlon, chairman of Energywatch Scotland, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the companies have responded so well to our call to end disconnections.

"The drop in numbers shows that the companies can take steps to recover debts without using the ultimate sanction of disconnection."

Official welcome

But Mr Hanlon questioned whether energy companies should ever have the right to withdraw services from vulnerable households.

He said: "No other industry responsible for delivering basic essential services is allowed to withdraw the provision of that service.

"Disconnection from energy services causes devastation to poor families in Scotland."

The fact that fewer households are being left without heat and light because of debt has been welcomed by the Communities Minister Margaret Curran.

"For people in debt, disconnection is an added strain and cost," she said.

"I ask all the companies to continue to participate fully in our Debt Arrangement Schemes."

Companies in the energy industry have stressed that they do only use disconnection as a last resort, but cast doubt in the significance of this set of figures.

A spokesman for Scottish Power said: "The statistics published last year were exceptional, and this fall means that the number of disconnections has returned to a normal level.