COSTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME GROUPS

Early day motion 1167, tabled 19 March 2007 by Anne Begg (Labour). Signed by 89 members.

That this House is concerned at the findings of the report `The poverty premium' by Save the Children and the Family Welfare Association, which shows that those families who are unable to pay for goods upfront or by direct debit are being charged up to £1,000 more per year for essential services such as prepay electricity meters; believes that this is unfair and further disadvantages the poorest families and children; and therefore calls on the Government to continue investing the resources needed to eradicate child poverty and to persuade companies to take action to stop penalising customers on lower incomes.

Signatures by party: Labour 55, Liberal Democrat 18, Conservative 5, DUP 5, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.