SNP TURN THE HEAT ON LABOUR ENERGY FAILURE

SNP TURN THE HEAT ON LABOUR ENERGY FAILURE

"SHAMEFUL EXPLOITATION" OF PRE-PAY ENERGY CUSTOMERS MUST END

SNP Energy Spokesman, Mike Weir MP, has slammed the “shameful exploitation” of society’s most vulnerable people by energy companies and the Labour Government's failure to properly cap prices for pre-pay meters.

His comments follow National Housing Federation allegations that five of the big six energy suppliers are still overcharging customers using pre-pay meters, despite Ofgem rules.

Commenting Mr Weir said:

“For big businesses to cash in on their most vulnerable customers is nothing short of immoral. Pre-pay meters are often used by the poorest in society and these people should be protected, not exploited.

“It is utterly unfair to punish people using the pre-pay option. After all, these are people that are choosing to manage their finances by paying cash in advance for a service. Ofgem’s investigation into the matter must be thorough and comprehensive. Action must be taken to ensure their rules are enforced.

“Positive steps such as the SNP Government’s Energy Assistance Package bring welcome help for the fuel poor but firmer action is needed now from the UK government. Labour is failing spectacularly to deal with fuel poverty UK wide. In fact Labour policies, such as the 15 per cent levy on domestic heating oil or liquid petroleum gas users in rural areas will make matters worse. These energy customers do not have access to the social tariffs available to gas customers.

“As the temperature drops and we enter winter, scrutiny on the UK government’s energy policies is hotting up. Domestic fuel bills have gone through the roof and fuel poverty levels are now more than three times the rate of five years ago.

“For an energy rich country, it is a scandal that citizens are suffering from the cold in their own homes. Action must be taken now to ensure investigate this disgraceful situation and bring it to an end."