gas and electric charges

[bullpen]

I unfortunately suffered a serious mental breakdown and now I cant work. We changed our meters to pay as you go as we couldnt afford huge bills. The rates charged for this system is higher than billed accounts Why is this? It seems to me that we are being punished for being on a low income and that it is very unfair.

[Therema]

Ive just had a guy round asking me to go with Scottish Hydro Electric for gas and lecky, ive been with scottish gas for yonks and it seems a really good deal you get with hydro but im scared of change as im on incapacity benefits, and cant afford any stupid hidden costs as time goes on what does other people think of this change over do you think its a good one or should i stay with who i am with at the moment, and yeah bullpen we seem to get punished for alsorts, low wage earners and people on benefits

[Ethel]

Therema, yours is a totally different question and you should start a thread of your own.

bullpen, it is unfair, but pay as you go meters cost more to administer.

In six months, find out how much gas you've used and see if you can budget to go back to an ordinary meter. If you have a current account you can pay monthly by direct debit.

[Therema]

Same but different Ethel

[Postdog]

Sorry, got to agree with Ethel about being innapropriate hijack.

As for the original question, years ago I had problems paying the leccy, and was put on a PAYG meter. Now is a bit better financially than then, and I suppose I could go back to quarterly or whatever, but I actually prefer it the way it is, with no surprise bills - nothing worse than getting a bill you can't pay.

[ChuckFickens]

it was on the news a week or so ago that the government are currently looking into this and talking about forcing the energy companies to charge the same for PAYG meter users.

Hope it happens as it is unfair

[justmetoo]

I dont get any electric bills atall....

[buildersmate]

Which will mean that those who are willing to minimise the cost of revenue collection for the companies end up subsidising those with pay meters that don't.

That's what's unfair. Back to a socialist state - no personal incentive to lift a finger to do anything. Might as well live in N Korea then we can all be equal.

[ccfluff]

hi just read your thread and thought you might like to know that some energy companies operate a lower tariff for people on low incomes or claiming certain benefits. If i were you id contact your supplier and explain you are currently unable to afford to put amy credit on your meters and ask about the essentials tariff, this is available from british gas others might call it something else. A friends just done this and has got her price down to pre june. Hope this helps