End pre-payment inequity says Alex Feakes

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 5th Oct 2009

Alex Feakes is calling for an end to pre-payment meter inequity

Lewisham West & Penge parliamentary spokesman for the Lib Dems, Alex Feakes, has backed calls for the costs of pre-payment meters for gas and electricity services to be equalised with other payment methods.

Speaking at a debate on the issue, Alex said: "the inequity for users of pre-payment meters, where charges are higher than for those paying by direct debit or cheque, falls mostly on the poorest in our society."

The debts built up by the cashflow-poor can also affect future tenants of the same properties, as it can be hard to persuade the suppliers to switch to other payment methods at the address if money is still owed there. Suppliers are also failing to implement new guidelines on social tariffs which would benefit those using pre-payment meters.

"It's time that this dreadful situation is put right and suppliers live up to their obligations," commented Alex.