Bridget demands justice on fuel prices for poorest

9.47.00am GMT Fri 11th Jan 2008

People who rely on pre-pay meters are losing out

Liberal Democrat campaigner Bridget Fox is calling for justice on fuel prices for Islington's poorest families.

New party leader Nick Clegg used his first Prime Minister's Questions to highlight the scandal of higher charges for prepay meter users. Customers with prepay meters tend to be the poorest families and pensioners. But the energy companies charge them more than customers who pay standard quarterly bills.

Consumer group Energywatch reports that energy companies are charging prepayment meter users an average of £195 extra each year for their gas and electricity compared to the best available deals. In the worst case, Npower, the gap between prepayment customers and internet customers in some parts of Britain is £304. Meanwhile 25,000 people are predicted to die this winter alone from the cold.

Bridget says; "Many Islington households are already paying over the odds for heating. Now we are told London gas users will have to pay around £45 more a year for gas than some other regions.

"It's time for the Government to take action to stop the energy companies from hitting people on pre-paid meters hardest. It's time to end the scandal of the poorest families paying the most for their energy needs. As a minimum, the prepay meter price should be equalised with the standard quarterly rate."