Energy suppliers urged to help debt-hit consumers
Energy suppliers urged to help debt-hit consumers
Tuesday 24th June 2008
Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com, said that the increases of the cost of gas and electricity are hitting those least able to pay the hardest.
This is due to the fact that tariffs on pre-pay meters, which are usually used by less well off Britons, are already on average 17 per cent higher than the best value deal offered by a provider for customers who pay by direct debit.
Mr Byrom said that the onus is on energy companies to act sympathetically and stop charging higher rates for their customers with pre-pay meters.
He commented: "In the Budget this year the government put forward proposals to treat pre-payment customers fairly.
"It is high time these promises are put into action. Energy providers should look to reduce prices for pre-payment customers, remove back charges completely and pledge to shield them from further anticipated price hikes this year."
Energy experts cited by the BBC this week predicted that energy costs could increase by as much as 40 per cent this year.
This increase, coupled with higher mortgage repayments and increased food prices, has fuelled forecasts that more and more Britons will seek to take out debt management solutions such as individual arrangements this year.
Debt1, official website of Byrom & Keeley - Experts in Debt Management
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