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Fair energy prices for low income customers.

12/02/07

Housing Associations in England are campaigning for energy suppliers to align all of their prepayment meter (PPMs) tariffs to the same as their best standard credit rate (BR).

Why? People on low incomes are paying up to £103 a year more for gas or electricity than quarterly billed (standard credit) consumers. Ofgem research shows that PPM use is concentrated amongst low-income consumers and DTI figures show that fuel poverty is proportionately greater amongst PPM users than with any other payment method.

Some suppliers have already equalised their rates of either gas or electricity and housing associations want them all to.

Ending this price gap will assist in the eradication of fuel poverty. This is where a household cannot afford to keep warm and this affects health and quality of life.

The Government has set a target to eradicate fuel poverty by 2015 (by 2010 for vulnerable people). Fuel poverty has fallen in the last few years when 1.2 million households were classified as being in fuel poverty in 2004, compared to 5 million in 1996. However the number of households in fuel poverty is beginning to rise again due to the increasingly erratic costs of fuel.

A coalition comprised of Energywatch, Age Concern, the National Consumer Council, Citizens’ Advice, Child Poverty Action Group, Disability Alliance, Help the Aged, National Energy Action and End Child Poverty is also campaigning for suppliers to equalise their rates.

And you can join them and take action too. Write to the boss of your energy supplier to end their unjust practices. You’ll find the address below:

Phillip Bowman
Scottish Power
1 Atlantic Quay
Glasgow
G2 8SP

Vincent de Rivaz
EDF
329 Portland Road
Hove
East Sussex

Sam Laidlaw
Transco
Brick Kiln Street
Hinkley
Leicestershire
LE10 0NA

Nick Horler
Powergen
Westwood Business Park
Westwood Way
Coventry
CV4 8LG

Andrew Duff
N Power
Oak House
Bridgewater Road
Warndon
Worcestershire
WR4 9FP

Ian Marchant
SSE
Inveralmon House
200 Dunkeld Road
PH1 3AQ

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