CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY REPORT ON PREPAYMENT METERS

That this House welcomes the new report, The Poor Pay More, published by Christians Against Poverty, a charity which helps thousands of people each year struggling with unmanageable debt; acknowledges the report's conclusion that people using pre-payment meters (PPMs), which are used by 39 per cent of CAP's clients, are being forced to pay more on their energy bills because they are unable to access the same tariffs as people who pay their energy bills by credit, and that there are 266,000 households in arrears on their PPM who will self-limit their energy use this winter; endorses the report's recommendations, particularly that PPM users should access the same tariffs as monthly direct debit customers, that accountability structures that place a responsibility on energy suppliers to act on those who self-disconnect should be established, and that awareness about standing charges amongst consumers should be raised; and therefore encourages the Government to pursue reform in this area and support vulnerable people who use PPMs.