PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
TOKEN METER BACK CHARGING (20 November 2006)

That this House notes with concern that the practice of collecting back charges from customers who have not had their token electricity prepayment meters recalibrated to reflect energy price rises threatens up to 1.175 million households across Great Britain with increasing levels of unexpected debt, leaving households frequently facing instant arrears of up to £150 and in one case of £853 in addition to an overnight price shock when the meter is eventually recalibrated; further notes that users of token meters, many of whom are on low incomes, choose this method precisely in order to avoid debt; is surprised that the four companies, British Gas, Scottish Power, npower and Powergen, persist in this practice rather than following the example of Scottish and Southern Energy and EDF Energy, which do not apply price rises until their token meters have been recalibrated; urges all electricity suppliers which continue to collect back charges to follow this lead; and calls on the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets to use its licence review to eliminate the practice of token meter back charging altogether.

Sponsored by:
Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Labour)