Lower Energy Prices for those most in need welcomed

12.00.00am GMT Fri 9th Feb 2007

Councillor Mark Harris, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Leeds City Council, and executive board member with responsibility for narrowing the gap, has welcomed the announcement by British Gas that they will be introducing lower prices for their customers who are on benefits, and ensuring that those who use pre-payment meters can benefit from this reduced tariff as well.

Cllr Harris (Lib Dem, Moortown) said "The increase in energy prices over the last two years has forced ten of thousands of households across Leeds into fuel poverty. At the council we have worked hard to help households access funding for better insulation and other energy savings measures. However we are not able to address the issues of people still having to spend more and more of their income on energy charges as prices have shot up. The news that energy prices are to drop is good news to those on low incomes. I am pleased to see that British Gas has launched a 'Social Tariff' to help vulnerable customers, particularly those who use prepayment meters.

"Those who use prepayment meters are often in the greatest need of support, but in the past they have faced paying higher charges for their energy than customers who can afford to pay their bills by direct debit. British Gas's commitment to allow these customers to pay at the same rate, regardless of the method of payment is very welcome.

"However British Gas only represents part of the energy market, I very much hope that other suppliers will follow their lead and stop penalising those who use prepayment meters. Here, in one of Britain's richest cities, in the fourth wealthiest country in the world it is simply iniquitous that in 2007 we actually have elderly, infirm and the youngest threatened by hypothermia as a result of fuel bills beyond their financial means."