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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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AM demands power companies rethink on back charging
March 13, 2007 1:45 PM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has called on three power companies - npower, Powergen and Scottish Power - to follow the lead of other companies in the sector and stop imposing unforeseen debts on those of their customers who use token meters.
Mr Black's demand follows recent revelations that these companies backdate price changes for token meter users from the time that they get around to resetting them to the time of the actual increase, thus leaving the customer with a debt they did not budget for. Other companies apply the increases only from the date that the meter is altered.
"This behaviour cheapens the reputation of the companies who apply it," said Mr Black. "Surely, the tiny amount of extra profit that npower, Powergen and Scottish Power get as a result of pushing customers into debt in this way cannot be that significant to them?"
"Token payment meters are mostly used by less well off customers who find them an aid to budgeting. The regulator, Ofgem, has already said that making price changes at the time that the meter is altered is good practice. It is difficult to see why these 3 companies think otherwise. They should immediately fall into line with what their competitors are doing, and ensure that they make price changes at the time that meters are altered. If they continue to refuse, then the regulator must make them do so."
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