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Energy Action Week (1-5 September 2008) |
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This week is Energy Action Week and Severn Vale Housing Society is supporting the campaign to help those who pay the highest charges for their domestic energy despite paying for it in advance
- Thousands of housing association tenants are being charged higher prices for their domestic energy because they pay via a pre-payment meter instead of by quarterly bill
- It is often those on lower incomes who end up paying more for everyday necessities like white goods, basic credit and mobile phones
- Save the Children charity has estimated that on average low income households end up paying an annual ‘poverty premium’ of £1000 because of the way they pay for everyday goods and services
Pre-payment meters are a part of this ‘poverty premium’
- Customers who pay for their energy via pre-payment meters can end up paying up to £70 more per year than those who pay by standard credit and can pay up to £300 more than online direct debit customers
The energy market fails its poorest customers when it insists on using technologies that create more poverty
- There is no pre-payment premium in Northern Ireland
- The market there has shifted to benefit pre-payment customers, who get a 2.5% discount
We are urging the Energy Minister to act now to end this injustice
- Pre-payment meter customers should not have to endure another winter of paying over the odds for their gas and electricity
Join our campaign to change this unfair situation
To contact Severn Vale please telephone: 01684 272749 email:
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or visit our offices: Shannon Way, Ashchurch, Tewkesbury, GL20 8ND |
