Rowen turns up the heat on the Secretary of State

Rochdale’s MP and Lib Dem Shadow Minister for Works and Pensions Paul Rowen has called on the Government to reveal what steps they have taken to ensure that residents who choose to prepay for their energy needs are not paying any more than those who are billed quarterly.

Paul, who has recently spoken out in Parliament about the need to end fuel poverty amongst pensioners, raised his concerns to the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Mike O’Brien MP.

Paul Rowen said: “Recent information and statistics have shown that pre-payment customers are paying more for their energy bills when compared to those who pay quarterly.

Energywatch, who represent the interest of gas and electric consumers, has calculated that energy suppliers are making £500m each year by charging pre-payment customers more.

This is simple unacceptable and it is absolutely appalling that in these difficult economic times energy companies are placing higher costs upon some of the poorest customers.

Mr Rowen added: “The Government needs to take strong action against those who will seek to squeeze extra money from society’s most vulnerable. I hope that the Government will listen to the concerns that I have raised that will hopefully bring energy savings to thousands of residents in Rochdale”