Calls for equality for pre-payment customers

Article date : 29/01/2009

Some of the UK's most vulnerable residents could be facing a chilly winter as they struggle to find the finances to heat their homes, it has been claimed.

According to a report by Transact, people with disabilities, single parents and those in social housing were likely to be paying for their utilities with a pre-payment meter.

However, the group asserted that such consumers could be facing additional costs of £215 to what a customer paying by direct debit would be charged.

This meant that households who were already in debit could have up to 70 per cent of their meter payments taken in arrears.

As a result, the organisation is urging energy suppliers to equalise pre-payment and standard charges for all individuals.

Homeowners may be able to reduce their energy bills by taking simple and cost-effective action around their own homes.

This includes taking the time to bleed all radiators to increase their efficiency, or turning down their thermostat by just one degree Celsius for a saving of up to £65 on annual bills.

ADNFCR-1600-ID-18998290-ADNFCR