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| Energy bills are 'unfair to some' | Energy bills are 'unfair to some' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The energy regulator Ofgem has told companies to stop charging customers different rates if they pay by direct debit or pre-payment meters. | The energy regulator Ofgem has told companies to stop charging customers different rates if they pay by direct debit or pre-payment meters. |
| It added it was unfair that 4.3 million customers with no gas supply could not get the best deals on electricity. | It added it was unfair that 4.3 million customers with no gas supply could not get the best deals on electricity. |
| Ofgem said the energy market worked well for most customers, but told power companies they needed to deliver the benefits of competition to all. | Ofgem said the energy market worked well for most customers, but told power companies they needed to deliver the benefits of competition to all. |
| It found no evidence that firms had been working together to set prices. | It found no evidence that firms had been working together to set prices. |
| Ofgem started the investigation in February after all the leading suppliers imposed big price rises at the same time. | Ofgem started the investigation in February after all the leading suppliers imposed big price rises at the same time. |
| There will now be a consultation on the report, which will end on 1 December. | There will now be a consultation on the report, which will end on 1 December. |
| Billing criticised | Billing criticised |
| The regulator pointed out that competition could not stop rising prices of oil and coal from pushing up bills. | The regulator pointed out that competition could not stop rising prices of oil and coal from pushing up bills. |
| Ofgem's proposals to improve the market are welcome, particularly if these lead to the banning of price differences for pre-payment customers and those that pay by cash or cheque Gordon Lishman, Age Concern Government faces fuel poverty challenge | Ofgem's proposals to improve the market are welcome, particularly if these lead to the banning of price differences for pre-payment customers and those that pay by cash or cheque Gordon Lishman, Age Concern Government faces fuel poverty challenge |
| However, it said energy firms could do more to make sure that all customers were able to access the best tariffs. | However, it said energy firms could do more to make sure that all customers were able to access the best tariffs. |
| "Initial findings from our energy market probe give us grounds to demand that companies end practices that hinder customers, especially the vulnerable, from getting the best deal," said Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan. | "Initial findings from our energy market probe give us grounds to demand that companies end practices that hinder customers, especially the vulnerable, from getting the best deal," said Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan. |
| "If they fail to satisfy our requirements voluntarily, then we can move to a Competition Commission reference," he added. | "If they fail to satisfy our requirements voluntarily, then we can move to a Competition Commission reference," he added. |
| There has been widespread criticism of the billing system for customers on pre-payment meters, who are charged more for their fuel than those who pay by direct debit. | There has been widespread criticism of the billing system for customers on pre-payment meters, who are charged more for their fuel than those who pay by direct debit. |
| The average annual bill for households on pre-payment meters was £118 higher than those who pay by direct debit following the latest round of price increases. | The average annual bill for households on pre-payment meters was £118 higher than those who pay by direct debit following the latest round of price increases. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Ofgem needs to replaced or given real teeth to curb the flagrant abuses of the energy companies Stuart Graham Send us your comments | |
| Those who pay by cash or cheque each quarter - standard credit - pay about £80 a year more than those on direct debit. This is the most common form of payment for the fuel poor, as more than half of this group pay in this way. | Those who pay by cash or cheque each quarter - standard credit - pay about £80 a year more than those on direct debit. This is the most common form of payment for the fuel poor, as more than half of this group pay in this way. |
| "Ofgem's proposals to improve the market are welcome, particularly if these lead to the banning of price differences for pre-payment customers and those that pay by cash or cheque," said Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern. | "Ofgem's proposals to improve the market are welcome, particularly if these lead to the banning of price differences for pre-payment customers and those that pay by cash or cheque," said Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern. |
| "However, much wider reforms are needed. It is particularly vital that social tariffs are made fit for purpose, and are made mandatory through legislation, so that the poorest consumers get the cheapest energy rates." | "However, much wider reforms are needed. It is particularly vital that social tariffs are made fit for purpose, and are made mandatory through legislation, so that the poorest consumers get the cheapest energy rates." |
| Fuel poverty | Fuel poverty |
| Ed Mayo, of watchdog Consumer Focus, told the BBC that the report was a "devastating critique" of the treatment of older and vulnerable customers. | Ed Mayo, of watchdog Consumer Focus, told the BBC that the report was a "devastating critique" of the treatment of older and vulnerable customers. |
| He said that customers were not getting the best deals when they switched suppliers. | He said that customers were not getting the best deals when they switched suppliers. |
| This should be sorted out, he said, even if the report told consumers that they would have to put up with high bills. | This should be sorted out, he said, even if the report told consumers that they would have to put up with high bills. |
| Last week, government figures showed that fuel poverty in the UK rose to 3.5 million in 2006, one million more than in 2005. | Last week, government figures showed that fuel poverty in the UK rose to 3.5 million in 2006, one million more than in 2005. |
| Fuel poverty is defined as households who spend more than 10% of their income on fuel. | Fuel poverty is defined as households who spend more than 10% of their income on fuel. |
| David Porter, the chief executive of the Association of Electricity Producers, said that the UK could do little about rising bills because coal and gas prices were globally driven. | David Porter, the chief executive of the Association of Electricity Producers, said that the UK could do little about rising bills because coal and gas prices were globally driven. |