ENERGY PRICES FOR THE POOR

Early day motion 559, tabled 12 December 2007 by Jennifer Willott (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 75 members.

That this House expresses concern that the millions of customers using prepayment meters to pay for their energy use are paying an average of £195 per year more than those who have signed up for suppliers' online tariffs, and that in some parts of Britain this can mean as much as £304 under npower tariffs, which is more than the higher level of the winter fuel payment; notes that prepayment meter users are three times more likely to be fuel poor, one-third of households do not have internet access at home whilst one in 11 do not have a bank account and are unable to take advantage of cheaper online deals; further notes that many prepayment customers are prevented from switching supplier because they have a debt; and welcomes the campaign from consumer watchdog Energywatch to address this exploitation of the poorest in society.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 26, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Independent Labour 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.