VULNERABLE CUSTOMERS' SUPPORT

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC
01 March 2005


                        SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN ENERGY PLC
                   SUPPORT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE CUSTOMERS


Scottish and Southern Energy plc ('SSE') has announced the details of a new
tariff and package of services for its most vulnerable customers which it will
introduce later this year. The announcement was made during a presentation by
SSE's Chief Executive, Ian Marchant, at an energy conference in London organised
by Amicus today (1 March).

Qualifying customers will be offered:

   •electricity and gas prices around 20 per cent lower than current market
    prices;
   •a benefits health check, where appropriate;
   •free energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation;
    and
   •the loan of an A-rated fridge or fridge freezer if their existing one is
    inefficient.

These services will be offered to those customers with multiple problems - a low
income that needs to be supported by particular benefits; special needs, such as
a disability; and a home that has particularly poor energy efficiency.

Over the first three years, SSE expects up to 30,000 households might qualify
for the new tariff and services. The combination of lower prices, energy
efficiency measures and the installation of A-rated refrigeration equipment
should enable a family living in a three bedroom semi-detached house to cut
their total energy bills by around 30% or around £200 a year.

In addition to the new tariff and services, SSE is also intending to extend to
customers who pay for their energy via Fuel Direct the same discount on their
bills (6%) as those who pay via Direct Debit. (Fuel Direct is a means by which
people in receipt of certain benefits such as income support can pay for their
energy and is guaranteed by the Department of Work and Pensions.)

Ian Marchant said:

'While we do not believe that the energy supply industry is responsible for fuel
poverty, we do believe that it is in the long-term interests of the industry to
be seen to be making a real effort to play our part in dealing with the problem.
There is now a universal understanding that the price of electricity and gas is
just one of three factors which will determine if a household is going to fall
into fuel poverty. The other factors are the income of the household and the
energy efficiency rating of the property that the household occupies.

Tackling fuel poverty is in everyone's interests. So, in this climate of
partnership, we want to play a constructive part, along with the government,
other energy supply companies and the relevant agencies. That's why we have put
together this package.'

Enquires to:

Alan Young, Director of Corporate Communications              0870 900 0410
Denis Kerby, Investor and Media Relations Manager             0870 900 0410



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