To: Government
Energy Companies Financially Penalising Vulnerable Customers Using Credit Scoring
Stop energy companies who refuse to allow customers to swap to cheaper credit meter plans because they fail credit scoring. These customers make up a significant proportion of the UK and are often the more vulnerable households and they are being forced to pay higher bills on pre payment meters rather than take advantage of the cheaper plans on offer.
Would like the government to empower the energy ombudsman or pass legislation causing the suppliers to allow switching of plans. Of course it should be allowed that an energy company take a deposit if they do not wish to offer credit, but most will not do this!
Would like the government to empower the energy ombudsman or pass legislation causing the suppliers to allow switching of plans. Of course it should be allowed that an energy company take a deposit if they do not wish to offer credit, but most will not do this!
Why is this important?
Vast amounts of energy customers are having to pay significantly more for their energy and this largely includes the vulnerable who for differing reasons fail to make adequate credit score.
The cheaper plans should be available for everyone not just those who have been able to keep a good credit score. Many of those vulnerable are cutting back on heating as a result and don't put the lights on.
The energy companies should be offering those not making the credit score the opportunity to pay a deposit to draw down on, but currently they are not doing this!
Further by not allowing customers to move from prepay meters many customers who are increasingly less able will have problems loading the prepay tokens with energy which is usually capped to £49 with some suppliers.
The cheaper plans should be available for everyone not just those who have been able to keep a good credit score. Many of those vulnerable are cutting back on heating as a result and don't put the lights on.
The energy companies should be offering those not making the credit score the opportunity to pay a deposit to draw down on, but currently they are not doing this!
Further by not allowing customers to move from prepay meters many customers who are increasingly less able will have problems loading the prepay tokens with energy which is usually capped to £49 with some suppliers.
