Ban Prepayment meters
Prepayment meters are a scourge on our society. From a purely moral perspective they should not be allowed.
They are often forced onto the poorest in society who are then charged more per unit than the rest of society.
They have to pay for energy upfront and can not take the benefit of paying an average over the year.
Although the stop people going into debt this is an the expense of people sitting in dark and cold homes when their credit runs out. This is not fair.
What is even worse is that people who do self-disconnect because they can not afford to top up have to still pay a daily standing charge which means the get into debt without using power. With the recent increases in standing charge due to Ofgem's failure this should be unacceptable.
To be in a situation where 16% of pre-payment customers self-disconnect every month there is something wrong. When 70% of these self-connections are in groups with people with health conditions or children we as a society should be ashamed.
They are often forced onto the poorest in society who are then charged more per unit than the rest of society.
They have to pay for energy upfront and can not take the benefit of paying an average over the year.
Although the stop people going into debt this is an the expense of people sitting in dark and cold homes when their credit runs out. This is not fair.
What is even worse is that people who do self-disconnect because they can not afford to top up have to still pay a daily standing charge which means the get into debt without using power. With the recent increases in standing charge due to Ofgem's failure this should be unacceptable.
To be in a situation where 16% of pre-payment customers self-disconnect every month there is something wrong. When 70% of these self-connections are in groups with people with health conditions or children we as a society should be ashamed.
Why the contribution is important
Nobody should be without energy in the 5th or 6th richest country in the world. It. Is. A. Disgrace.
I accept that people need to pay for energy and that some people find paying for energy as they use it a useful budgeting tool but there has to be better ways of doing this.
For example weekly direct debits if you are payed weekly.
Use of smart meter functionality to notify when you are approaching defined limits.
Penalising the poor for being poor, or ill has no part in a just society. Everyone deserves some compassion and help.
I accept that people need to pay for energy and that some people find paying for energy as they use it a useful budgeting tool but there has to be better ways of doing this.
For example weekly direct debits if you are payed weekly.
Use of smart meter functionality to notify when you are approaching defined limits.
Penalising the poor for being poor, or ill has no part in a just society. Everyone deserves some compassion and help.
by Tony on August 30, 2022 at 03:58PM
Posted by elliottait September 05, 2022 at 13:42
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Posted by JC1966 September 05, 2022 at 14:07
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