Energy companies must stop charging unfair prices

Commenting on Ofgem’s initial findings in its probe of the energy markets Mark Oaten has again called for the unfair disparity between direct debit and pre-payment meter bills to end.

On average those who pay by pre-payment meter are charged 17% more than those who pay by other means. Ofgem has called on energy companies to end this difference.

It comes as two charities take the Government to the High Court arguing that not enough is being done to alleviate fuel poverty. The Government is struggling to meet its own targets by 2010 with the number of fuel poor rising to roughly five million people.

Mark Oaten stated:

“During the Business Committee’s inquiry into energy prices a few months ago everyone was talking about the higher prices prepayment meter users have to pay. It’s not anything new but nothing seems to have been being done.

“I hope that if the energy companies don’t act on their own then this is referred to the Competition Commission. More people are slipping into fuel poverty and my constituents are really struggling – especially those on prepayment meters. If they won’t act then Government has to.