Energy giants massive instalment charges to poorest customers banned after The Sun’s Rip-Off Britain shame
Labour’s working class champion Frank Field hailed the commitment by Ofgem
ENERGY giants are to be banned from charging their poorest customers up to £300 for installing pre-payment meters, in a victory for The Sun’s Rip-Off Britain campaign.
Labour’s working class champion Frank Field hailed the commitment by Ofgem but insisted it should only be a first step in helping some of the most vulnerable.
He said: “Justice demands people shouldn’t be punished for being hard up. Ofgem looks set to deliver that justice.”
Energy firms make around £9million a year by forcing debt-laden customers to foot the bill for pre-payment meters.
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Ofgem wants to cap charges at £100 or £150.
And it aims to ban the charges altogether for “the most vulnerable.”
A spokeswoman said: “This includes people in severe financial hardship and people with physical and mental health issues and learning difficulties.
“Installing a pre-payment meter under warrant should be a last resort.”
The Sun teamed up with Frank Field in 2014 to fight rip-off fees.