TXU ENERGI SURCHARGING POLICY

Early day motion 1413, tabled 11 June 2002 by Gordon Marsden (Labour). Signed by 56 members.

That this House condemns proposals by TXU Energi to surcharge customers who do not pay their bills within 14 days of the bill issue date an extra 9.5 per cent. on their next bill; is dismayed that this will have a severe effect on TXU's most vulnerable elderly or disabled customers who may rely on carers or relatives to pay their bills; does not consider that 14 days from issue date is a reasonable time for payment; believes that it is inequitable that penalty charges for late payment should not bear any relation to the amount owed or by the length of delay in payment; is concerned that customers who pay their summer bill a day late may be surcharged 9.5 per cent. on their winter bill; urges TXU Energi immediately to suspend the planned introduction of this policy on 1st July and substantially to rethink it; regrets the trend of privatised utilities eroding their payment terms to the detriment of customers; and considers that it would be a useful principle for such companies to commit to meeting invoices from their suppliers under the same terms they impose on their customers.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 6, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.