GUEST COLUMNIST: CAB manager says pre-pay is stuck in the dark ages
Evidence from Ofgem has found that prepayment meter customers aren’t just inconvenienced by the system – they are also paying more. The cost of their gas and electricity tends to be around £80 more each year than other payment methods. Now, Derbyshire Districts is taking part in the national Citizens Advice campaign to get a better deal for prepayment customers. The ‘Fair play for prepay’ campaign is asking energy companies to offer a greater choice of tariffs and more innovative ways to top up.
Energy top-ups are stuck in the dark ages. It’s bizarre that people can top up mobile phones by text and buy shopping online, but when it comes to prepayment energy, customers have to traipse to the local store. If you are housebound or have children at home, getting out to top-up your gas and electricity can be really difficult. If it runs out unexpectedly then you are faced with no heating or lighting until you can get to the shops. Energy firms also need to look at boosting choice for prepayment customers. Having one or two options to choose from is not enough to make this part of the market competitive and drive down prices. Customers who have fallen behind with their bills may find their supplier insists they have a prepayment meter installed which stops them
racking up debt.