Energy companies pre-paid meter prices an 'energy tax on the poor' says Assembly Member

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Jun 2008

The Welsh Liberal Democrats Social Justice spokesperson, Peter Black has hit out at those energy companies who charge more to customers who use pre-paid meters.

His comments come after last week's startling revelation to Lib Dem MP Mark Oaten at a Business and Enterprise Select Committee hearing that one of the major energy suppliers charges 17% more to such customers.

Mr. Black said:

"It is mostly people on the lowest incomes who use pre-paid meters. Yet the energyl companies are happy to make them pay more than those of us who are able to pay by direct debit.

"The only justification for such a situation would be if these meters cost 17% more to administer. The reply to Mark Oaten made clear that this was not the case.

"These companies are always happy to talk loudly about how much they are trying to help the growing numbers of people in fuel poverty. They should remove this energy tax on the poor once and for all."