Disability charity slams energy firms' 'shameful behaviour' over pre-payment meters
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NATIONAL disability equality charity scope has slammed energy companies for "shameful behaviour" over pre-payment meters.
The criticism comes after the release of new research by Citizens Advice which reveals someone on a pre-payment meter is being cut off every 10 seconds.
The charity provides free advice and support to disabled people and their families through its Helpline and Disability Energy Support Service. The charity said it is regularly hearing from disabled people and their families who have been moved to pre-payment meters.
Louise Rubin, head of policy and campaigns at Scope, said: “This is shameful behaviour from our energy companies.
“We regularly hear from disabled people who have been moved on to pre-payment meters, disabled people who are freezing in their homes and parents who are going hungry to feed their children.
“Prices will rise again in April but disabled families have nothing left to cut back on. They can't turn off vital, life-saving equipment and budgets are already stretched to the max.
“Ofgem needs to step up and enforce quicker and stricter sanctions for energy suppliers who fail their disabled customers, and force a stop on installations of pre-payment meters while bills are eye-wateringly high.
“The government must introduce a social tariff – a discounted energy rate – for disabled people before it’s too late.”
